Mary Graves died of mesothelioma in 2017
A Lincolnshire widower, whose wife died from asbestos-related cancer, is urging her former colleagues at Halls Barton Ropery Company Ltd to help with an appeal for witnesses.
Mary Graves, from Brigg, died in January 2017 after a nearly five-year battle with mesothelioma. She was 82 years old.
Her husband, Michael, is now calling on anyone with information about the working conditions at Halls Barton Ropery Company Ltd during the 1940s and 1950s to get in touch with Thompsons Solicitors. We are particularly interested in speaking to any maintenance workers or tradesmen who may have information about the presence of asbestos in the building itself.
She worked at the Barton-upon-Humber rope manufacturer for a few months in 1948 and again between 1953 and 1957, making hemp rope for farm goods.
Unfortunately, weeks after her diagnosis, Mary suffered a severe stroke after having fluid drained from her lung. She experienced memory loss, speech issues and had trouble eating as her illness progressed. The stroke left her unable to remember her working conditions.
Mary Graves, née Maw, age 21, who passed away after battling Mesothelioma
Having turned to Thompsons Solicitors for legal advice, Michael is now hoping his wife’s former colleagues can shed light on how she came to be exposed to the asbestos that caused her disease.
“I have been absolutely devastated by the loss of my wife,” he said. “It was a horrible experience to watch her slowly decline over five years. Before we could even process what had happened after her initial diagnosis, she suffered a stroke, which robbed me of the Mary I had previously known.
“If there is anyone out there who worked with my wife, or knows how she may have come into contact with asbestos during her two periods of employment there, please get in touch today.”
Asbestos experts Thompsons Solicitors have supported families with claims since the first-ever successful asbestos claim at the House of Lords in 1972, and the firm has recently launched its #PastButPresent campaign to give a voice to the families and communities that have been devastated by the disease.
"We are hoping to get information from those who worked with or near to Mary, such as fitters and maintenance workers. With their help, we hope we can support the family with a compensation claim."Helen Tomlin of Thompsons Solicitors
Helen Tomlin, the solicitor supporting Michael’s claim, said: “We are hoping to get information from those who worked with or near to Mary, such as fitters and maintenance workers. With their help, we hope we can support the family with a compensation claim.
“No one should have to see a loved one’s quality of life deteriorate in this way, especially when it has been caused by a preventable illness. Michael and his family have suffered for far too long because of asbestos. I hope we can get them the answers they deserve.”
Anyone with information about working conditions at Halls Barton Ropery Company Ltd, especially between 1948 and 1957, should contact Helen Tomlin at Thompsons Solicitors on 0113 205 6385 or email helentomlin@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.