Call back for new
personal injury claims only
Leave your details to request a call back.
You are in: Home Page | News Index | News Story
16th June 2006
Can you Help Linda Carter?
Widow from Poole is trying to trace her late husbands' co-workers
David Carter (also known as Andy Carter to his friends) died a painful death in April 2005 after developing mesothelioma – a cancer brought on by contact with asbestos.
Mr Carter was only 59 years old when he died and was exposed to the deadly asbestos while working for W L Miller & Sons Limited in Poole.
With the help of Thompsons, Linda Carter, his widow is trying to trace her late husbands’ co-workers.
W L Miller & Sons Limited
Mr Carter worked at Millers, which was a large meat production plant from 1968 until 1991. When he first started work, he was employed as a Trainee Charge-Hand; however, he worked hard and by the time he left the company, he was a Department Production Manager.
While Mr Carter was employed by Millers, approximately 1000 other people worked there in the various departments including a Pig Slaughter House, Bi-Products, Quality Control, A 3 Department and Cooked and Cured Meats (which eventually split into two separate departments called Cooked Meats and Cured Meats).
Exposed to asbestos at work
Before he died, Mr Carter recalled that several trainees all started to work at the factory at the same time. One of the trainees developed serious breathing difficulties and eventually died as a result of an asbestos related disease.
The WL Miller & Sons factory was inside an old building which had seen a lot of wear and tear and it required a lot of maintenance work carried out on it.
The pipes inside the building were coated with asbestos lagging, which over time disintegrated and started to fall off. The maintenance department would sometimes replace the lagging and would sometimes tape it back together. The damaged lagging resulted is asbestos fibres being present in the air inside the factory.
Compensation Claim
Mr Carters’ widow, with the help of Thompsons Solicitors is now trying to make a compensation claim against Millers but witness evidence is needed. Thompsons are now trying to trace Mr Carters’ former colleagues to provide more information about the environment they all worked in at Millers.
His widow Linda Carter explains: “My life will never be the same as it was when David was alive. I cannot replace David who should have been my lifelong companion. Before suffering from this condition my husband was a dedicated worker who enjoyed his work.”
“Although I can never bring David back I would like justice on his behalf. I cannot believe this company had such a poor view of health and safety that they continued to expose my husband to asbestos when they knew of the risks or ought to have known of the risks that were involved.”
Samantha Brown from Thompsons Solicitors in Bristol comments: “Mesothelioma is a terrible illness caused by employers’ disregard for their workers’ lives. Asbestos-related diseases will cause 10,000 deaths a year by 2010. It is important that we trace David Carter’s co-workers, not because compensation will make up for his death, but also to assist others who may have a potential claim for compensation in the future. The disease can take up to 30 years to develop and many people will not know that this could happen.”
If you worked at Millers during the 60s, 70s, 80s or 90s, or if you have family or friends who did, please contact Thompsons on 08000 224 224 or send an e-mail to enquiries@thompsons.law.co.uk
If you would like to begin a claim for compensation, complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.
Contact us about your accident or injury
Call us for free on 08000 224 224 Call us from your mobile on 0330 123 123 0 (charged at local number and free when covered by inclusive minutes) Request a call back Text CLAIM to 82010 (standard network rates apply)
