Family appeals for witnesses in the Aberystwyth area
The family of an Aberystwyth woman who died from an asbestos-related lung cancer is appealing for information from her former colleagues.
Gillian Margaret Price died in November 2012 after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, an incurable cancer which affects the lining of the lungs.
After Gillian’s death, her family instructed industrial disease specialists, Thompsons Solicitors, to investigate a claim for compensation.
Gillian had told her family that she had worked in buildings where asbestos had been present while employed by the Inland Revenue, Aberystwyth University and Bronglais Hospital. She had worked for the Inland Revenue between 1974 and 1979, based in the Crown Buildings in Aberystwyth and at Bronglais Hospital in 1990.
Gillian began her career at Aberystwyth University as a computer science demonstrator in 1986 and went on to hold various posts including in Information Services and Student Support Services. Gillian worked at Aberystwyth University at various times between 1986 and 2012, working predominantly in the Llandinam building.
Her family is asking for people with information about the construction, maintenance and working conditions at her three employers to contact Thompsons Solicitors.
Gillian’s eldest daughter, Rebecca Price, said: “Mum was absolutely dumfounded when she was diagnosed with mesothelioma. She had always associated asbestos exposure with industrial work – not with the kind of office environment she had worked in as an academic for many years.
“We really hope that any of her former colleagues can come forward to share their experiences of working for the Inland Revenue in Aberystwyth, Aberystwyth University and Bronglais Hospital.”
Amanda Jones, the solicitor at Thompsons representing the family, said: “Many people believe that only those working in the manufacturing industry or construction are potential victims of asbestos-related disease, but this is not always the case. Asbestos was present in many office buildings resulting in employees being exposed to asbestos dust when maintenance or refurbishment work was carried out.
“It is important that any of Gillian’s former colleagues, or anyone else who worked for contractors at any of those workplaces, comes forward with any information that might assist.”
Anyone who may have any recollection about the conditions at the Inland Revenue’s Crown buildings in Aberystwyth, the Llandinam building at Aberyswyth University and Bronglais Hospital should contact Amanda Jones at Thompsons Solicitors’ Cardiff office on 02920 445345.
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.