Linda worked as a personnel officer for Capper Pass, later known as Rio Tinto
The daughter of a Yorkshire woman who died after developing mesothelioma is looking for anyone with information about how she may have come into contact with asbestos.
Clarinda Owst, known as Linda, began suffering with breathing issues, later found to have been caused by mesothelioma. She died in September 2017, six months after diagnosis.
Linda worked as a personnel officer at the Humberside-based smelting plant, Capper Pass, later known as Rio Tinto, from 1971 to 1988. Her role was largely office based, but factory staff would come from the plant to speak with her and she would walk through the plant to access the firm’s canteen.
Linda’s daughter Renée contacted Thompsons Solicitors to assist her with an asbestos disease compensation claim following her mother’s death.
She said: “I want to speak with anyone who can shine a light on my mum’s employment and how she could have been exposed to asbestos. As a personnel officer, she would have been known to a large number of workers and other members of staff, which we hope will increase our chances of finding someone who can help.
“Any information provided could be the missing piece of the puzzle we desperately need, so please get in touch with Thompsons Solicitors if you think you can help.”
Asbestos is the single biggest cause of work-related deaths in the UK, causing thousands of deaths and serious illnesses. The number of asbestos deaths is expected to rise until 2020.
While asbestos is often seen as a thing of the past, its effects are not, and it has left a devastating legacy, and asbestos experts at Thompsons Solicitors are highlighting the families and communities affected with its #PastButPresent campaign.
Linda Owst with her granddaughter
Helen Jones, the solicitor supporting Renée, said: “Linda worked at Capper Pass, later Rio Tinto, for a large part of her career and may have come into contact with asbestos in a variety of ways.
“We are hoping there will be someone out there who can remember Linda and confirm how she was exposed to asbestos, so we can help Renée with a claim and get some closure for our client.”
Anyone with information can contact Helen Jones at Thompsons Solicitors on 01912 690625 or email HelenJones@Thompsons.Law.co.uk.
“We are hoping there will be someone out there who can remember Linda and confirm how she was exposed to asbestos, so we can help Renée with a claim and get some closure for our client.”Helen Jones of Thompsons Solicitors
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.