Appeal from family of man who died from an asbestos related disease
The family of a man who died from an asbestos related disease are searching for information about a former Bedfordshire business which they believe will help them to claim compensation.
Leigh Boniface from Bradford on Avon in Wiltshire died from mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung, after he was exposed to asbestos when he was just 18.
Leigh, who died aged 48, was exposed to asbestos while working for Porch Watt Developments Company Limited, between 1974 and 1975.
Porch Watt Developments Limited of Shefford, Bedfordshire
The company’s registered office was in Shefford, Bedfordshire.
Leigh worked demolishing 1920s terraced houses in Paddington in London where he was exposed to asbestos that lined old boilers, fireplaces and guttering
He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in April 2005 and died just 10 weeks later. Throughout Leigh’s later career he was never exposed to asbestos.
Now his wife, Jacqueline is pursuing compensation for her husband’s death.
Who insured Porch Watt Developments Limited?
Porch Watt Developments Company went into receivership in 1993. Jacqueline’s lawyers, Thompsons Solicitors have contacted a former director who has confirmed that the company had employers liability insurance at the time Leigh was employed, but he is unsure with whom.
Thompsons are now appealing to members of the public to come forward with any information they may have about the company and its insurers.
Leigh was a granddad of two, a dad and a stepdad. Jacqueline said it was a great shock when he was diagnosed with mesothelioma.
She said: “When Leigh was diagnosed the doctor asked if he had ever worked with asbestos. He had always worked in manufacturing plastic so he could not understand how he had developed the disease. Then he remembered that he worked demolishing old buildings when he was 18 and it was there he was exposed to asbestos.
“We found it hard to believe that a job he did at such a young age could be having such a dramatic affect on his health now.
“It is important to the family to pursue compensation so we can obtain justice for Leigh who died as a result of this deadly dust. This appeal is our last chance.”
Please contact Thompsons Solicitors with any information
Gill Owen, client representative at Thompsons Solicitors added: “In order to pursue this claim we must find out who insured Porch Watt Development Limited.
“We would urge anyone who has any information about the company to get in touch with us so Mrs Boniface and her family can pursue this case.
If anyone has any information please contact Gill Owen on 0161 819 3500 or emailenquiries@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.