Julie Saxton Believes She Was Exposed To Deadly Dust Whilst Employed As An Accounts Clerk At Now-Defunct Bestobell Valves

A terminally ill Rotherham woman is appealing for her former colleagues for information after being diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer.

Julie Saxton, from Wath-upon-Dearne instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate after she was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer of the lining of the lungs, on May 26 last year. The cancer takes decades to develop following exposure to harmful asbestos.

The 56-year-old mum-of-one believes she was exposed to asbestos while working at Bestobell Valves on Greasbrough Road in Rotherham between 1977 and 1984.

Irwin Mitchell is appealing to anyone who worked in production, or maintenance at the factory to describe working conditions at the factory and confirm whether any asbestos was used in production process.

Julie said: “My diagnosis was such a shock for me and my family and we’re still coming to terms with a now uncertain future. I’m absolutely devastated by the news and have so many questions about how I came to be exposed to asbestos.

“My mother worked at Bestobell in the 1970s and got me a temporary job in the drawing office, assisting the draughtsman. I then moved into the accounts department, above the dusty machine shop, in which the valves were produced.

“The factory was noisy and dusty, as you’d imagine. But aside from that I just cannot think of anywhere else I could have been exposed to asbestos. I’d really like to give my family the answers they deserve, so I’d ask anyone with information to come forward.”

Julie began to feel unwell shortly before Christmas 2015 when she suffered from a stubborn and persistent cough. Her GP referred her to Rotherham Hospital for a chest x-ray which revealed an accumulation of fluid in my lung.

On 26 May 2016, Julie and husband, Peter, were given the devastating news that Julie had malignant mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure.

Julie added: “I know nothing can change my prognosis, but knowing how this happened to me is really important, not just for me but my family. So I’d ask anyone who might have information to be kind enough to get in touch.”

The Rotherham factory is no longer in existence. The premises were demolished some time ago and the site redeveloped. It is now the NHS Rotherham walk-in Centre.

Expert Opinion

“Mesothelioma is a form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos dust fibres. It is responsible for the deaths of more than 2,500 people in the UK every year.

“We are investigating Julie’s exposure during her time at Bestobell Valves and hope that those who worked alongside her, or elsewhere on the premises, during the 70s and early 1980s will come forward with any information they have about the presence of asbestos and what measures were in place to protect staff from exposure to the dust and fibres.

“We hope to help Julie and her family understand how and where she became exposed to asbestos.” Simone Hardy - Senior Associate Solicitor

Anyone with information regarding the working conditions at Bestobell Valves Greasbrough Road in Rotherham between 1977 and 1984 should contact Simone Hardy on 0114 274 4420 or email Simone.Hardy@IrwinMitchell.com

Read more about the work of Irwin Mitchell's Asbestos-Related Disease Team here.