Mr Stone worked for roofing companies in and around Maidstone and throughout the country at numerous privately owned farms and commercial properties as far north as Yorkshire and as far south as the West Country. In 1981 David moved to Australia, returning to the UK in 2001.
David died in Maidstone Hospital on 2 October 2014 aged 71 as a result of an aggressive mesothelioma, a pernicious and terminal form of asbestos-related cancer, which he developed in the summer of 2014. His health declined rapidly following the diagnosis of the disease and it is believed he was exposed to asbestos during his working lifetime.
(Photo: David Stone as he would have looked in the 1960’s and 70’s when working for EW Tyler Company Ltd and Medway Roofing and Insulation Limited.)
The symptoms of mesothelioma only usually become apparent several decades after initial exposure to just one asbestos fibre, by which time it is too late for anything other than palliative treatment. It seems likely that David was exposed to asbestos at work and Kate is keen to trace anyone who worked with him when he was employed by two companies:
- EW Tyler Company Limited, where he worked between 1964 and 1966 and again from 1967 to 1968.
- Medway Roofing and Insulation Company Limited where he was employed from 1969 to 1971.
Mr Stone was employed as a roofer at EW Tyler, working in a team of three replacing and erecting new roofs on farm buildings and commercial factory premises. The roofs were made from asbestos boards and sheets and he would have to cut mitres for gable ends and drill holes through the boards and sheets to secure them. This inevitably created asbestos dust.
David and his colleagues worked in jeans and T shirts and there were no washing facilities on site, meaning he regularly returned home with his clothes covered in the toxic dust. He was never provided with any masks or breathing protection and he was not warned about the dangers of working with asbestos.
With Medway Roofing & Insulation Co. Ltd he did exactly the same sort of work as at EW Tyler but far more locally based in Kent. Again he was not provided with any masks or protection and was not warned about the dangers of working with asbestos.
Kate Price commented:
‘We hope that anyone who may remember working with David or working at the companies gets in touch as they may have the answers that the family desperately needs. We know that he did more work around Kent for Medway Roofing & Insulation Co. Ltd, owned by a Mr John Chapman, including a roof on site at Dow Chemicals. Any information from his former workmates will help us achieve some sort of justice for Mr Stone that recognises his wholly undeserved suffering.’
Anyone who thinks they might have relevant information should call Kate Price on 03700 864031 or email [email protected]
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Allan Bisset, Shoosmiths
T: 03700 866736
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It is recommended that specific professional advice is sought before acting on any of the information given. © Shoosmiths LLP 2024
