Relatives Hope Pictures Will Help Bid for Asbestos Justice

The family of a Darlington man killed by an asbestos-related disease has appealed to his former colleagues to help honour his memory by assisting a bid for justice. Richard Todd was 77 when he died shortly before Christmas 2009 of Asbestosis, an inflammatory lung condition caused by exposure to asbestos. Mr Todd worked for British Rail throughout the North East as a wagon and horsebox builder and joiner from 1947 until around 1963. He then went to work at Darlington Power Station until 1976, when it closed. It is believed asbestos exposure could have taken place at either of these workplaces and his family’s lawyer, Isobel Lovett from Irwin Mitchell, is hoping people who worked there at the same time can come forward and confirm this. Now his niece, Joan Walton, and her brother, Michael Todd, have released pictures of their uncle to help jog people’s memories. Mrs Walton said: “We want to achieve justice in our uncle’s name and help to expose the shocking working practices that our uncle’s employers seemed to get away with for so many years. “Knowing it’s likely that it wasn’t just him that was exposed makes it all the more important to help identify those companies that repeatedly put their workers’ lives in danger. “It’s hard to piece together exact details about what went on when someone was at work so we’re hoping one of his former colleagues will recognise him from these photos and will be able to help provide more information.” Isobel Lovett, representing the family, said: “We would like to hear from anyone who may be able to provide more information about the working conditions at either British Rail or at Darlington Power Station. This is yet another tragic example of the shocking disdain with which employers treated their workers.” Anybody who may have more information can contact Isobel Lovett at Irwin Mitchell on 0191 279 0100.

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