A former sheet metal worker from West Yorkshire who has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related cancer is appealing for anyone who worked alongside him during his career to come forward with information that may help him secure compensation to fund potentially life-extending treatments.
In 2022 Mr O’Brien, 66, from West Yorkshire was diagnosed with mesothelioma - an incurable cancer linked to asbestos exposure, which can take decades to develop after initial exposure - after experiencing worsening shortness of breath.
In an effort to understand when and where he may have been exposed to asbestos, Mr O’Brien has instructed the industrial asbestos disease experts at Thompsons Solicitors to assist him in gathering information about his work history.
He is now urging former colleagues, or anyone who anyone who worked alongside him and may be able to provide additional information about his exposure to asbestos.
Having grown up in Huddersfield, Mr O’Brien began his career in 1974 as a sheet metal apprentice at Fred Shaw’s Radiant Works site in the city, where he spent four years fitting steel ducting systems, often working in supermarkets across the Yorkshire area where he would cut and drill into ceiling tiles to install vents.
After leaving Fred Shaw’s in 1980, Mr O’Brien took on various other roles, including working at Brook Crompton, Morley Brothers and metal fabrication company, Colnbridge Engineering Limited.
In 1989, he joined Newsmith Stainless Limited in Liversedge where, in the early years, he worked on assembling large industrial washing machines, and where he remained until his retirement in 2018.
Mr O’Brien’s legal team, led by Marion Voss of Thompsons Solicitors' Leeds office, is keen to speak to anyone who worked alongside him at any stage throughout his career, and especially during his time at Fred Shaw’s, Colnbridge Engineering, or Newsmith Stainless Limited during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.
Described by his family as a devoted father of two who enjoys DIY and gardening, which he now struggles to do as a result of his symptoms, they said that Mr O’Brien’s diagnosis had been very difficult to come to terms with.
They say they are now hoping to secure compensation that will allow him to access therapies that aren’t available through the NHS and may give him a better chance to spend more time with loved ones.
Mr O’Brien’s lawyer, Marion Voss from Thompsons Solicitors, said: “On behalf of Mr O’Brien’s family we would be very interested to hear from anyone who worked alongside him throughout his career.
“This has been an incredibly difficult time for them all, as they come to terms with his diagnosis and his ongoing treatment to manage his symptoms. Any information from his former colleagues or workers in similar roles could be crucial in confirming how and when he was exposed to asbestos, which may help secure compensation for further treatment.”
Anyone with information that could assist in Mr O'Brien’s case is encouraged to contact Marion Voss at Thompsons Solicitors on 0113 205 6343 or via email at marionvoss@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.