Man Instructs Lawyers To Investigate Following Asbestosis Diagnosis

The daughter of a former carpenter from Cannock is appealing for help in establishing how her dad was exposed to asbestos that led to his diagnosis with asbestos-related cancer.

John Parkes has been diagnosed with asbestosis, a lung condition where the inside of the lung becomes scarred. The condition is most commonly associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.

Following his diagnosis, John, 81, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his illness and if it could be linked to his work history.

John’s daughter assists her dad in seeking information on his working conditions

Following a stroke last year, John struggles to communicate, so his daughter Maxine Cane, aged 59, is helping her dad in his appeal for his former colleagues to come forward with information on the conditions he would have worked under.

Maxine has now joined her dad and his legal team to appeal to his former workmates to contact them. They are keen to trace anyone who worked with John during his time at John Laing Construction, based in Wolverhampton from 1964 to 1965; Carillion Capital Projects (formerly Sir Alfred McAlpine) in 1965 and Bosunmere Ltd (formerly C Bryant and Son) from 1968 to 1979.

John was employed by all the firms on building projects throughout the Staffordshire region.

Maria Roberts is the expert asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell supporting John and Maxine.

Expert Opinion

“Recent months have been really difficult for John and his family, as they have had to come to terms with his asbestosis diagnosis and a recent stroke that he’s still recovering from.

“There’s currently no cure for asbestosis and while there’s nothing we can do to change what John’s going through, we’re determined to support him and Maxine as they find the answers they’re looking for concerning John’s asbestos exposure.

“If any of John’s former workmates could come forward with information, it would be greatly appreciated by John and Maxine and could help provide the answers John is looking for.” Maria Roberts

Asbestosis: John’s story

John lived in the Cannock area all his life and on leaving school aged 15 in 1958, went to work as an apprentice carpenter for five years. In 1964, John went to work for John Laing Construction, employed as a carpenter on sites across the Staffordshire region. John recalls using various products in the production of soffits.

In 1965 John moved to work for Sir Alfred McAlpine and Son, working as a carpenter, fitting roof soffits on mostly newbuild houses on building sites across the region. John remembers one site with over 100 houses and that he would usually complete a set of six houses at a time.

On all occasions, John says he made the roof soffits from sheeting, which he would cut to size using a hand saw, a process which released clouds of dust into the air. He remembers cutting between five and 10 sheets per day.

In 1968, John moved to C Bryant & Son Ltd, as it was then known, and stayed with the firm for the next 11 years until 1979. To John and his workmates, the firm was known as ‘Bryants’ and his role was essentially the same as the one he performed for Alfred McAlpine.

A family man with a keen interest in sport

John has 1 child from his first marriage, Maxine Cane, 59. John met his second wife Maureen in around 1992 and has two step-children, Alison and Lindsay. John also has an older brother, Ken Parkes, aged 83.

John was keen on DIY and spent several years working on the house he and Maureen bought together. John is also keen on sports, regularly taking part in darts and golf. He was a member of a number of local golf clubs, including the Beau Desert Golf Club in Hazelslade, Cannock.

John had always enjoyed good health, until he started to experience symptoms including breathlessness. John was advised by his GP to go to hospital to be investigated and underwent tests.  Following these tests John was given the diagnosis of asbestosis in May 2021.

A wonderful father and friend: Maxine joins her dad in appealing for information

Maxine said: “Dad’s a wonderful father and friend. He’s always been hard working and considerate and is never happier than when spending time with our extended family.

“Dad has always been active and loves his golf, so to see him struggle in the period leading up the asbestosis diagnosis was really hard. He’s determined to get to the bottom of how he was exposed to asbestos but the stroke made it harder for him to communicate, so the rest of the family and I are pitching in to help where we can.

“It would be really useful to hear what dad’s old workmates might recall about their time on the same jobs. Dad says they often worked in pairs to make cutting and handling materials easier.

“If anyone with information could come forward, dad would really appreciate it and it would mean a lot to me too. I’m keen to help dad find the answers he’s looking for as he recovers and any information will give him something to work with in the weeks and months ahead.”

Anyone with information that could help John and Maxine with the investigation is asked to contact Maria Roberts at Irwin Mitchell on 0121 203 4025 or email Maria at: Maria.Roberts@IrwinMitchell.com

Find out more about our expertise in handling asbestos-related disease cases at the dedicated section on our website. Alternatively, to speak to an expert, contact us or call 0808 271 9815.