The family of a former Plant Operator and Health and Safety Manager from Runcorn who died from mesothelioma is appealing to his former colleagues to come forward with information to help them better understand the circumstances of his asbestos exposure.
In June 2023, Mr Leonard Goggin was undergoing medical investigations following complaints of chest pain when a lump was discovered in his chest.
A subsequent CT scan and biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of Sarcomatoid Peritoneal Mesothelioma – a rare and aggressive form of cancer caused by historic exposure to asbestos, with symptoms often not presenting until decades after the initial exposure.
Despite undergoing immunotherapy at Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, Mr Goggin’s health deteriorated rapidly. He was admitted to hospital in November 2023 and sadly passed away shortly afterwards, aged 73. He leaves behind his wife Pauline and their two adult sons.
Mr Goggin
Mr Goggin spent 31 years working at ICI’s (Imperial Chemical Industries) Rock Savage and Castner Kellner sites in Runcorn, initially as a Plant Operator before being promoted to Health and Safety Manager. He believed his prolonged and repeated exposure to asbestos occurred during this time, particularly in the earlier years when protective measures were minimal or absent.
Following his diagnosis, and prior to his death, with the support of his union, Unite, Mr Goggin instructed specialist industrial disease lawyers at Thompsons Solicitors to investigate when and where he came into contact with asbestos during his working life – and whether more should have been done by his employers to protect him.
His family are now continuing that legal fight and are appealing to any of his former colleagues to come forward with information. They are particularly keen to speak to anyone who worked at the ICI site in Runcorn between 1984 and 2015.
Speaking about her husband’s death and their ongoing search for answers, Pauline said: “He gave everything to that job and worked hard to support his family. He had no idea that just going to work could one day cost him his life.
“We were devastated by how quickly his condition progressed, and we hope that speaking out now might help us get answers – and raise awareness of just how dangerous asbestos still is.”
The legal team, led by Emma Draper of Thompsons Solicitors, is particularly interested in hearing from anyone who worked in the Rock Savage or Castner Kellner areas of ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries) during the 1980s and 1990s, and who may recall working around asbestos-lagged pipes, involvement in site overhauls, or a lack of protective measures during that period.
Emma Draper, of Thompsons’ industrial disease team, added: “This has been an incredibly difficult time for Mr Goggin’s family, who are still grieving the loss of a devoted husband and father.
“We are now working to secure justice on their behalf, and would urge anyone who remembers working with Mr Goggin, or in similar conditions at ICI in Runcorn, to come forward.
“Even the smallest detail could prove vital in helping us establish the nature of the asbestos exposure Mr Goggin’s experienced – and whether it could have been prevented.”
Anyone with information that could help is asked to contact Emma Draper at Thompsons Solicitors on 0151 224 1655, or via email at emma.draper@thompsons.law.
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.