Lawyers And Loved Ones Call For Old Workmates To Come Forward

The family of a former shop fitter are appealing for help to establish how he contracted the asbestos-related cancer which claimed his life.

The family of the father of two are making the plea ahead of Workers’ Memorial Day on Tuesday 28 April.

Michael Princep-Beresford, from Armitage, died four months after he was formally diagnosed with mesothelioma – a cancer of the lining of the lung commonly associated with exposure to asbestos.

Following the 78-year-old’s death, his loved ones instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate how he developed the illness.

The family have now joined their legal team in appealing for anyone who worked with Michael to come forward and provide information on whether he may have been exposed to asbestos during his career.

They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who worked alongside Michael at Harris & Sheldon in Willenhall, Walsall, between 1958 and 1972, or who were employed with him at OSF Industries International in Erdington, Birmingham, from 1972 to 1976.

Expert Opinion

“This is sadly yet another case which puts a spotlight on the devastating impact of asbestos exposure, with the true consequences only becoming clear years after contact has taken place.

Through our initial investigations we are led to believe that Michael may have been exposed to the material during his work for these two companies, but we now require more information to determine if that is correct.

We would be hugely grateful to anyone who may be able to help us, as the details we gather will go some way towards ensuring that his family can gain justice regarding his death.” Hayley Hill - Senior Associate Solicitor

Michael worked at locations across the West Midlands when he was employed by Harris & Sheldon. His role meant he had to remove old interiors from stores including leading high street names before fitting new layouts.

He carried out the same role for OSF Industries International in the 1970s, stripping out items like shelving and suspended ceilings before installing new interiors.

Michael developed symptoms including breathlessness and pain in summer 2018. Following tests he was formally diagnosed with mesothelioma in late January 2019. He died on 30 May 2019.

Hayley Hill, acting for Michael’s family, said: “Michael’s family would be hugely grateful to anyone who may be able to come forward with information about his former employers, Harris & Sheldon and OSF Industries International, as any detail no matter how small could make a massive difference to our efforts to gain answers regarding what Michael went though. Any help would be massively appreciated.”

Workers’ Memorial Day is on Tuesday, 28 April, and is a day to ‘remember the dead and to fight for the living’ by paying respects to those who have died as a result of their employment. The day campaigns to improve health and safety standards in the workplace, and increase protection in place for employees.

Michael leaves behind a daughter, Caroline Princep-Beresford, a son Alexander Princep-Beresford, and partner Ann Gilchreest.

Anyone with information which may assist this case is asked to contact Hayley Hill at Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham office on 0121 214 5273 or email hayley.hill@irwinmitchell.com