Stephen Muckley worked as a heating engineer across the Home Counties and the South West of England.
The family of a former heating engineer, who was just 62 when he died of an asbestos-related disease, is asking his former colleagues to come forward with information about exposure that could support a compensation claim.
Stephen Muckley worked for several employers throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, during which time he lived in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, and his family believe it is during this time that he was exposed to asbestos.
The employers, based across the Home Counties, included: AH Tripp and Son Ltd, Brendons Ltd, Sidney Cubbage Heating and Ventilating Ltd, EC Heating Eng Ltd, WE Chivers and Sons Ltd, Tedclose Ltd, GW Bradbury, MJ Leslie, JH Shouksmith and Sons Ltd, Rees and Brouk, and Evraglow Ltd.
Later in his career, he also worked for Cornwall and Devon-based Romec and, in 2003, he made the decision to seek a job transfer and move to the area, settling in Helston. After suffering with breathing issues later in life, he died in November 2020 of lung cancer, which was found to have been caused by asbestos exposure during the post-mortem.
His family believe that he was routinely exposed to asbestos while working on boilers and lagged pipes.
Stephen Muckley
His daughter, Emma Patten, said: “My dad was always aware of asbestos – he even told us that he feared it would lead to his death. But we never would have expected it to be when he was so young.”
The family has turned to asbestos specialists, Thompsons Solicitors, which has a long-standing reputation for representing the victims of asbestos related disease, having brought the first successful asbestos disease claim to the House of Lords 50 years ago.
Ms Patten added: “Dad worked for a number of employers across the Home Counties and the South West over the years, and we are certain he was exposed to asbestos during this time.”
“If there is anyone out there who worked with my dad and who can help us, I would be hugely grateful, as it may help us get the answers we need.”
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Did you work with Stephen Muckley?
According to data from the Health and Safety Executive, asbestos is one of the most common causes of lung cancer, and it is estimated that there are currently around 2,500 asbestos-related lung cancer deaths each year.
Nicholas Seymour, of Thompsons Solicitors – who is supporting the family – said: “Asbestos diseases are still having a huge impact on the lives of families across the UK.
“Stephen should have had many more years ahead of him, but these were cruelly taken away as a result of avoidable asbestos exposure.
“We hope that we can support the family in their claim but need evidence to do so – something we hope this appeal will achieve.”
Anyone with information should contact Nicholas Seymour at Thompsons Solicitors on 0117 304 2471 or email NicholasSeymour@Thompsons.law.co.uk.
Asbestos disease diagnosis? Talk to us for advice and support on how to secure compensation.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we can support you with advice on how to make a claim.
The process will be explained in plain English and with no obligation – our priority is to provide you with the best, expert advice on whether you have a valid case for compensation, and to signpost you to further sources of support.
There are strict time limits applied to making a claim – usually three years from the date of diagnosis. It doesn’t matter if the exposure to asbestos took place – as it often does – decades ago, the three year time limit applies to the date of knowledge of diagnosis or date of death.
For further information, visit our How to Make A Compensation Claim page.
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