Widow Appeals to Former Swan Hunter Workers
The widow of a man killed by the deadly lung disease Mesothelioma just six weeks after celebrating their silver wedding anniversary is urging his former colleagues to come forward to help in her battle for justice. Joseph Alan Slavin, also known as Alan, worked as an apprentice plumber at Swan Hunter Shipyard, Wallsend from 1949 to 1954 – where it is believed he was routinely exposed to asbestos. After first experiencing chest and shoulder pains in September 2008, Mr Slavin was diagnosed with Mesothelioma on 13 January 2009. He died exactly seven months later on 13 August 2009. Following the death of her husband, Sylvia Slavin instructed industrial illness specialists at law firm Irwin Mitchell to help with her battle for justice, and to track down other employees who worked at Swan Hunter around the same time who may have information about the use of asbestos at the site. Mr Slavin was described by his wife Sylvia, 55, as being an extremely loving husband and father – who was determined for them to reach their 25th wedding anniversary together. She said: “Following his diagnosis all Alan wanted was for us to spend our silver anniversary with each other, it was so important to him. I was delighted that he held on that long – but heartbroken to lose him. “Alan was a dedicated family man and I’m devastated, and our entire family has been left shellshocked, by the effects of this disease and the speed at which it has taken Alan from us. “I’m saddened to think of all the workers, alongside Alan, who were knowingly exposed to substances like asbestos by their employers who understood the risks which these deadly materials posed to the people working with them.” Isobel Lovett, associate solicitor and industrial illness expert at Irwin Mitchell, added: “During his employment at Swan Hunter, we believe Mr Slavin was often exposed to asbestos which, before he died, he said you would see floating around you in the air where he worked. “Mrs Slavin has been robbed of her husband and his children of a father. They have been robbed of many more happy years together and we want to achieve justice for the entire family. “We would strongly urge anyone who may have worked at Swan Hunter at the same time to come forward and help provide information that will help us to build a case against the employer.” As well as being a dedicated family man Mr Slavin was a keen artist and gardener, who enjoyed the outdoors and trips to the seaside. Alongside his four biological children he also cared for his step-children and was a foster carer – in his final years Mr Slavin lived in Hillcrest, North Yorkshire. Anyone who has any information should contact Isobel Lovett at Irwin Mitchell on 0191 279 0104.
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