We are appealing for former employees of Criterion Laundries Ltd / National Sunlight Laundries Limited / Sunlight Service Group Ltd who worked at the laundry factory in Birmingham between 1950 to 2006 as part of a legal investigation.
We have been instructed to pursue a civil compensation claim by the family of Mr David Ward, who tragically passed away in October 2024 as a result of Mesothelioma, a type of cancer linked to asbestos exposure.
In July 2024, Mr Ward developed a continuous cough, and it was discovered that he had fluid on his lungs. The fluid was drained but in September 2024, Mr Ward’s condition deteriorated, he was admitted to hospital and was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Mr Ward sadly passed away by the end of October 2024. Mr Ward’s diagnosis and subsequent passing came as a massive shock to his family.
We believe that Mr David Ward was exposed to asbestos whilst working for Criterion Laundries Ltd / National Sunlight Laundries Limited / Sunlight Service Group Ltd in the Laundry Factory in Birmingham between 1950 and 2005/06.
Mr Ward worked in the laundry factory that provided a laundry service for hotels and hospitals across the country. The factory was a large two-story building built approximately in the 1920s. Mr Ward worked originally as an apprentice engineer, and he continued his employment at the factory following completion of his apprenticeship. As an engineer, Mr Ward was responsible for the maintenance of machinery and the factory building itself. The factory had a boiler room, the main factory floor, and an engineer’s workshop in the basement. The factory housed large laundry rollers, and we understand that the rollers were lined with asbestos. This lining was removed and replaced every six months and Mr Ward inhaled the dust fibres from the rollers. We understand that Mr Ward was also exposed to other asbestos materials in the factory.
Mr Ward worked his way up to general manager at the laundry factory and retired in the 1990s, before returning in the early 2000s to assist with the shutdown of the laundry factory.
Ceri Clark, asbestos claims solicitor and Senior Associate, said:
“We are hoping to help Mr Ward’s family by locating other people who worked at the laundry factory with Mr Ward. If you worked with Mr Ward at any point during his career at the laundry factory or have any information relating to asbestos exposure at the laundry factory, Mr Ward’s family would greatly appreciate your assistance.”
Your recollections could play a crucial role in the ongoing case to establish the circumstances of asbestos exposure and hold accountable those responsible.
