Lawyers acting for the widow of a Hackney Council worker who died a tragic and painful death from the asbestos cancer mesothelioma are desperate to trace his co-workers.

Alec Fernee, who died on 8 May 2003, worked for the London Borough of Hackney between 1968 and 2002. In the first years of his employment, he worked as a wood machinist at the joinery workshop in Reading Lane, Hackney, London E8.

It is believed that Mr Fernee was exposed to asbestos dust and fibres which he would have inhaled in the course of his employment in the joinery workshop. It is believed that boards containing asbestos materials were cut in the workshop, which in turn created asbestos dust which Mr Fernee inhaled. It is understood that neither Mr Fernee nor his colleagues were made aware by the London Borough of Hackney of the dangers associated with asbestos.

Thompsons solicitors specialise in asbestos-related disease claims

Thompsons Solicitors, the London based firm which specialises in asbestos-related diseases, needs to trace Mr Fernee's co-workers in order to get more details about the environment he worked in.

Information from former workmates is needed to support a claim for compensation from the employer for the devastated family he has left behind.

Lorna Webster, Mrs Fernee's lawyer, said:

"Mesothelioma is a terrible illness caused by employers' disregard for their workers' health and safety. Asbestos-related diseases will cause 10,000 deaths a year by 2010 and will be the biggest industrial killer of all time. It is important that we trace Alec Fernee's co-workers, not because compensation will make up for his tragic death, but to ensure that those people who allowed him to work with asbestos pay for what they did.  Mr Fernee has left behind a devastated widow and family who need to see justice done."

If you worked for the London Borough of Hackney in the joinery workshop or surrounding buildings at Reading Lane, Hackney during the 1960s and 1970s, or have family or friends who did, contact Lorna Webster at Thompsons on 0800 0 224 224.

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