Dad died '˜suddenly' because of asbestos

Donna Michelbach’s father, John, died last February from mesothelioma at the age of 82. The illness, which affects the lungs, is associated with long-term exposure to asbestos.

An inquest at Blackpool Coroner’s Court concluded that Mr Michelbach had died from an industrial disease.

Donna said: “I was devastated when we lost dad in February last year. It was so unexpected. He was still so active, practically running the family bakery on his own, working six days a week up until Christmas the year before, just two months before he died.

“Only finding out after his death that he was suffering from mesothelioma was frustrating, then finding out that it may have been caused by exposure to asbestos during his working life made me angry.

“His illness took hold so quickly and there was no time to get answers or justice for him while he was alive. I am determined to get justice for him now.”

She has now instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate her father’s exposure to asbestos.

They are hoping to make contact with anyone who worked with Mr Michelbach during his employment.

From the 1950s until around 1962, he worked as a boiler maker at Vickers Armstrong shipbuilders in Barrow.

Between 1963 and 1964 he worked for N S M Construction Limited. From 1964 to 1966, heworked as a baker for firms including The Union Castle Mail Steamship Co Limited, Scottish Ore Carriers Limited and Shaw Savill & Albion Co Limited.

He worked as a general manager for D N Barnes Limited between 1966 and 1976.

Emma Tordoff, industrial disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Unfortunately, we often see cases like John’s where victims were unaware that they were battling asbestos related lung cancer until the very end of their lives.

“I urge John’s former colleagues who worked with him at any of his various employers to come forward with any details of the working conditions John endured during his employment.”

Did you know or work with John Michelbach? Donna has appealed for anyone with any information to contact Sonia Akram at Irwin Mitchell on 0191 279 0095.