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23 May 2023 | Witness Appeals | Article by Phoebe Osborne

Did you work with Mary Gallop, cleaner at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital?


The family of a hospital cleaner are looking to get in touch with her former colleagues after her death from mesothelioma. Mary Gallop’s family are continuing the claim with the specialist asbestos claims team at Hugh James.

Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer, the only known cause of which is previous exposure to asbestos.

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The family of a hospital cleaner are looking to get in touch with her former colleagues after her death from mesothelioma. Mary Gallop’s family are continuing the claim with the specialist asbestos claims team at Hugh James.

Mesothelioma is an asbestos-related cancer, the only known cause of which is previous exposure to asbestos.

In order to pursue a successful civil compensation claim, we need to be able to demonstrate how Mary came into contact with asbestos during her working life.

Mary, a former cleaner, worked at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, Bedfordshire between 1975 -1989 recalled how she was asked to clear up bags of asbestos rubble after suspended ceiling tiles were taken down on one of the wards.

Sadly, Mary was not given any warnings about the dangers of handling asbestos rubble, nor was she provided with any protective equipment to protect her from the asbestos dust.

In cases like this, witnesses are absolutely crucial in the pursuit of justice. Mary’s family are now appealing for help from their mother’s former work colleagues at the hospital who might be able to provide further details about this work which exposed Mary to asbestos in unprotected conditions.

If anyone worked with Mary whilst she was involved in this post asbestos removal clean up works at the Luton & Dunstable hospital, we would like to hear from you.

Phoebe Osborne, asbestos-related disease specialist solicitor at Hugh James Cambridge who is supporting Mary’s family, said:

“Mary was also extremely poorly with dementia before she was diagnosed with the aggressive cancer mesothelioma, but before she died, she wanted to alert her family and former colleagues about the dangers of asbestos at the hospital where she formerly worked for many years before relocating to Great Yarmouth”.

While nothing can make up for the loss of a much- loved mother, we are determined to support this family in their search for the truth. Any information held by Mary’s former work colleagues at the Luton & Dunstable Hospital, Bedfordshire could prove vital to the investigation and in providing the family with the answers they deserve.”Over the last 10 years, Phoebe has successfully pursued many mesothelioma claims involving similar examples of historic exposure doing asbestos removal works in the 1980s and has acted for other former hospital cleaners, caretakers and maintenance staff working in hospitals constructed in the 1960s.

 

Mary’s son commented

“My Mum deteriorated very rapidly after her mesothelioma diagnosis as she could not undergo any treatment. Sadly, as a result of the COVID pandemic, my mother had to move into a specialist dementia care home as we were unable to support Mum to remain independent at home, this was particularly devastating having always been very close”.

Mary’s children remain understandably devastated by her tragic death. The family has a number of questions about Mary’s past asbestos exposure and are keen to speak to their mother’s former work colleagues.

Armed with the experience and specialist knowledge that is required for this complex area, Hugh James has helped thousands of people who have been either injured or developed an illness as a result of their work.

Anyone who worked with Mary Gallop at Luton & Dunstable Hospital, Bedfordshire at the same time or before/after, who has information regarding asbestos exposure should contact us on: 01223 660 206

Author bio

Phoebe Osborne

Legal Director

Phoebe joined Hugh James in March 2021 and is a Legal Director in the specialist Asbestos team. Phoebe has acted solely for Claimants in asbestos disease litigation since qualifying as a solicitor in 2013. Since then, she has successfully obtained compensation for a significant number of patients following their diagnoses of mesothelioma, asbestosis, pleural thickening and lung cancer.

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