Widow And Mesothelioma Lawyers Seek Information On Husband’s Time At Manvers Coking Plant And Joseph Nadin Contracting Limited

The widow of a former electrician from Barnsley is appealing to her husband’s ex-workmates to help determine how he was exposed to the asbestos that claimed his life.

Ralph Scargill from Wombwell, died one week after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.

Following her husband’s death aged 73, his wife Noreen, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her husband’s illness and if it could be linked to his work history.

Noreen, aged 74, has now joined with her legal team to appeal to her husband’s former workmates to come forward with information about the conditions Ralph worked under.

They are hoping to trace anyone who worked with Ralph during his employment with the National Coal Board at the former Manvers Coking Plant in Wath-upon-Dearne, from 1970 until 1977 and while he worked for Joseph Nadin Contracting Limited, from 1978 to 1980.

Expert Opinion

“Two years on from Ralph’s death Noreen is still struggling to come to terms with the reality of his passing and the devastating impact it’s had on her life.

“Sadly, asbestos was a common feature across many industries at one point and we continue to support many people like Noreen whose lives have been turned upside down as a result.

“Nothing can make Noreen’s pain any easier or bring Ralph back, but she has a lot of unanswered questions about his asbestos exposure and we are determined to help her in a search for the truth.

“If anyone who remembers working with Ralph could come forward, it would mean a great deal to Noreen and her family and could prove vital in providing her with the answers and closure she deserves.” Nick Woods, Asbestos-Related Disease expert

One of Ralph’s jobs at Manvers was to change the electrical cables which were located on the coal cars that ran along the tops of the ovens. Ralph said the cables were insulated to protect them from the heat, but this insulation would disintegrate when the oven lids were opened due to the high temperatures involved. This meant the cables needed to be replaced by Ralph several times a week.

On leaving the NCB, Ralph was employed by Joseph Nadin Contracting. During this time, Noreen understands that Ralph was based at Drax Power Station and was involved in the stripping out and removal of lagging from the boilers and pipework.

Noreen recalls that Ralph would come home from work covered in dust during these years, to the extent that he would remove his overalls as soon as he came through the front door and pass them to Noreen for washing.

Ralph married Noreen in 1970 and the couple had three children together. As a young couple, Ralph and Noreen enjoyed many holidays in the UK, with their favourite place being St. Ives in Cornwall. Once the children came along, they continued to have family holidays in Cornwall.

When Ralph wasn’t working away, he enjoyed spending time with his family and maintaining his car. He was also keen on DIY and carried out many repairs and other projects around the home.

Ralph developed symptoms including shortness of breath in August 2021 After undergoing tests, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma on 17 September and died just a week later on 24 September, 2021.

Noreen said: “To lose Ralph so quickly to this terrible disease was devastating. He had been having some shortness of breath and was admitted to hospital. He was given the diagnosis and a week later he was gone.

“Two years on, it’s still so difficult to accept I’ll never see him again. I miss Ralph more than I can say. He was my best friend and there’s still not a day that passes that I don’t think of him.

“Ralph was able to give me some details of his work history and I know where he was employed for the most part, but his old work pals could doubtless tell us a lot more. If anyone who remembers Ralph or the places he worked could get in touch it would mean such a lot to me.

“I know it’s a while ago now, but any information could really help give us some answers and allow Ralph to rest in peace.”

Anyone with information that could help Noreen is asked to contact Nick Woods at Irwin Mitchell on 0114 274 4292 or email nick.woods@irwinmitchell.com

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