Daughters Join Mesothelioma Lawyers To Appeal For Dad’s Former Workmates To Come Forward

The daughter of a former carpenter is appealing to his former workmates for help in establishing how he was exposed to the asbestos that claimed his life.

David Fiddaman, from Rushmere St Andrew, Suffolk, died from mesothelioma aged 82, a cancer of the lining of the lung associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.

David’s family ask lawyers to investigate his asbestos exposure

Following her step-dad’s death, step-daughter Sandra Butcher, aged 67, instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his illness and if it could be linked to his work history.

Together with David daughter’s Christina, Sandra has joined with her legal team to appeal to David’s former workmates to come forward with any information they may have on the working conditions David would have faced.

They’re hoping to hear from anyone who worked with David during his time at boat builders, Wright & Sons, in Cullingham Road, Ipswich. David joined the firm in 1955 as a 14-year-old school leaver, spending nine years as a carpenter and joiner. During this time, at age 17, he met his first wife, Valerie, to whom he was married from 1962-1970.

Natalia Rushworth-White is the specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell supporting Sandra.

Expert Opinion

“Understandably Sandra and Christina are still coming to terms with the shock of David’s death and the impact it’s had on the family.

“David’s loved ones are another example of how families are torn apart by asbestos-related disease. The dangers of asbestos haven’t gone away and continue to have a devastating impact on people from all walks of life.

“While nothing can bring their dad back, Sandra and Christina are determined to establish the facts surrounding his asbestos exposure.

“If any of David’s former colleagues could come forward it could be a huge help to his family and prove a key factor in providing the family with the answers they deserve.” Natalia Rushworth-White

Mesothelioma: David Fiddaman’s story

David married his second wife Pamela in 1976. He leaves behind two biological daughters Christina & Sharon, two granddaughters Melany & Lauren and two great granddaughters Margot & Ethel

Outside of work and family life, David was passionate about trains and had a beautiful model train set installed within his garage. 

Sadly, David began to experience symptoms including breathlessness in September 2023. Following tests he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in October 2023. David died at home on 8 January, 2024. An inquest into his death concluded David died of a known industrial disease.

Sandra and Christina pay tribute to a really wonderful and caring dad

Sandra said: “My step-dad was my hero. He was a really wonderful man who was so skilled as a carpenter and joiner but who also loved his family and had a real caring streak running all the way through him.

“I still feel lost and devastated without him, but I’m so grateful to have had such an amazing and selfless person in my life and be able to say he was my step-dad.

Christina added: “David’s mesothelioma diagnosis came from out of nowhere, from first feeling ill to losing him was a matter of months and it was terrible to see him deteriorate over those final weeks. No one deserves that and my caring dad certainly shouldn’t have had his life ended that way.

“There wasn’t enough time for him to explore his own asbestos exposure, but he felt sure he had worked close to the material during his career in the building trade, which came up at the inquest.

“I want to do something to honour dad’s memory and getting the truth about his asbestos exposure is something positive I can do. If anyone who remembers him or the firm he worked for could come forward, it would mean a lot to me. I can’t bring my dad back but I can see the truth come out for him.”

How you can help Sandra and Christina

Anyone with information on David’s work history that would help Sandra and Christina is asked to contact Natalia Rushworth-White at Irwin Mitchell on natalia.rushworth-white@irwinmitchell.com or telephone: 01223 791 893.

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.