A grandad who was diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer died more than 60 years after he was exposed to the toxic substance. The family of former British Rail fireman Donald Lewis - known as Don - are now warning of the dangers of asbestos.
In December Don from Caerphilly was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades before. He died aged 75 in September 2020.
Prior to his death, Don instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his exposure. Lawyers secured a settlement from the Department for Transport after it admitted liability for Don’s exposure. However, Don died before the case concluded.
His wife, Ann, said: "Don’s diagnosis came as a shock to the whole family and in typical style, he didn’t give up and fought the disease all the way to the end. It was this determination that led him to seek answers and he would be so pleased that his case was a success. Finding answers meant so much to him and it’s a shame that he’s not here to see it."
Don had been married to Ann for 53 years and they had three sons and six grandchildren. He was employed by British Rail between 1961 and 1968 at the Radyr site near Cardiff and worked in close proximity to fitters as they cut and tore asbestos rope before wrapping it around the flanges on the locomotives to prevent steam leaks.
Don began to feel unwell in October 2019. Following a range of tests, he was diagnosed with epithelioid mesothelioma that December. Despite undergoing two rounds of chemotherapy, Don died on 14 September, 2020, surrounded by his family.
Throughout his life, Don's favourite pastime was spending time with his family. He was also always fascinated by nature, especially animals, and spent hours watching programmes about this. When his children were younger, the family enjoyed camping in the summer holidays and long walks in the countryside and along the coast. Being a practical man, Don also loved pottering around in his garage, fixing and making things.
Ann said the family miss him so much and now have to carry on knowing he died prematurely because of asbestos exposure. She said: "Don was a wonderful husband, father and grandfather and we all miss him more than I can say. He was a caring man and this led him to warn others of the dangers of asbestos when he was first diagnosed. It seems only right that we should do so now on his behalf.
“Mesothelioma has robbed me of my husband and best friend and our grandchildren will now miss all the good times they would have had with their amazing grandad. Nothing can prepare you for a cancer diagnosis and it’s still so difficult now for all of us to move on with life without him.
“We know asbestos was once used widely and while it remains in workplaces and buildings, people will always be at risk. We all need to understand these dangers and given my family’s experience, we would urge anyone else who worked in similar industries to Don and is now experiencing respiratory issues to speak up and seek advice as soon as possible.”
Alexandra Lausen, the asbestos-related disease expert at Irwin Mitchell supporting Ann and the family, said: “Two-and-a-half years after first meeting Don, we’re pleased to have secured the answers he and his family were looking for in respect of his asbestos exposure.
“Whilst no amount of money will ever compensate for Don’s illness and premature death, I’m pleased justice has been served and hope the settlement provides Ann and the rest of Don’s family with some financial security for the future. The family is keen to do all it can to help ensure others don’t go through what it has and in speaking out, it hopes to spread awareness of the very real dangers still posed by asbestos.”
A DfT spokesperson said: “Our thoughts are with all those affected, and we continue to work with their families to ensure that, where liability exists, claimants are compensated fairly and without undue delay.”
Each year Action Mesothelioma Day brings together victims of asbestos related diseases in general, those who have loved ones affected, healthcare professionals, support groups and those working to understand asbestos related disease and find treatments and cures for sufferers. The day aims to ensure the public is also aware of the terrible impact which asbestos related diseases can have on sufferers and their carers. To get the latest Caerphilly news straight to your inbox subscribe here.
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