Widow appeals for help in husband's fight for justice

Widow appeals for help in fight for justice Wife continues legal battle husband began before he died The widow of a former South London man who died from an asbestos-related cancer is appealing for her husband’s former colleagues to come forward and help in her fight for justice. Terry Jones, 69, of Basingstoke, died in July 2007 after developing mesothelioma, a painful cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. Just weeks before his death, Mr Jones had launched a legal fight for compensation – a fight his wife Irene is determined to win for him. “In August 2006, Terry was building a conservatory at the rear of our house,” said Mrs Jones. “When he finished the work, he was complaining of back pains and thought he had maybe pulled a muscle. But when he went to see a doctor and had a number of scans and tests, they told us he had mesothelioma. “The doctors said that mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, and that’s when Terry decided to hold to account the people he believed were responsible.” Mrs Jones said her husband, a retired scaffolder formerly of South London, believed that he came into contact with asbestos whilst working at two different companies in the 1960s and 1970s - Big Ben Scaffolding and United Builders Merchants Ltd (or UBM Ltd), both believed to have been in South West London. Dominic Graham, an industrial disease specialist with Fentons Solicitors LLP, is preparing court proceedings against the two firms on behalf of Mr Jones’ family. “Unfortunately it is all too common for the victims in cases like this to have died before their case can be concluded,” said Dominic. “Mr Jones had been a fit and healthy man, but he died less than a year after being diagnosed with mesothelioma,” he said. “Although he did not work directly with asbestos himself, Mr Jones was working alongside others who were handling it on a daily basis, with deadly asbestos dust filling the air. “It can take many years after exposure to asbestos before any related disease becomes apparent, which can make finding witnesses and information about the employer very difficult,” said Dominic. “As Mr Jones’ family continue the fight that he started, we desperately need to hear from any colleagues who worked alongside Mr Jones during his time with these two companies in South West London. “We are hoping to trace any colleagues who can provide further information about the materials that were used in these workplaces, who remember Terry Jones, or remember asbestos dust being prevalent at the times that he worked there. “Mr Jones has paid an enormous price for working dutifully. Hopefully with the help of his former colleagues, his family can win their fight for justice and start rebuilding their lives." Can you help? If you worked at Big Ben Scaffolding or United Builders Merchants Ltd (UBM) in South West London in any capacity during the 1960s and 1970s, if you remember working alongside Terry Jones, or if you think you can help in any way, please contact Dominic Graham at Fentons Solicitors LLP on 0207 092 2804 or at dominic.graham@fentons.co.uk. Ends Issued by Fentons Solicitors LLP, www.fentons.co.uk. For further information please contact Andy Dickens, PR & communications manager, on 0161 238 6504 or at andy.dickens@fentons.co.uk.

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