Family of married Liverpool couple appeal for information following asbestos-related death
The family of a Liverpool couple are appealing for information following the asbestos-related death of Mona Patterson, which is believed to have been caused by washing her husband Arthur's dusty work clothes.
Posted on 22 October 2019
Arthur and Mona Patterson lived in Litherland, Merseyside. Arthur worked as a stevedore for Ocean Port Services from 1969-1972 at North Liverpool Docks, and for Mersey Docks and Harbour Board (MDHB) from 1972-1982.
The family of the couple believe that Arthur would come back with asbestos dust on his work overalls, which Mona would shake every night to remove, before putting them into the washing machine.
Arthur died in 1991 from a heart attack aged 65. In 2013, Mona began to fall ill with bloating around her stomach. Doctors diagnosed Mona with mesothelioma, a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. In September 2017, Mona died aged 79 from the disease.
Her brother-in-law, Terry Wood, instructed industrial disease specialists Leigh Day after her death.
Steven Dickens, asbestos claims solicitor at Leigh Day said:
“It was very common for asbestos to be handled in the Liverpool and Birkenhead Docks in the 1960’s and 1970’s and stevedores were often provided with little protection against asbestos.
“Our clients believe that Arthur was exposed to asbestos during his time working at the docks.
“They believe that the dust on Arthur’s work overalls, which Mona used to shake before putting in the washing machine, could have been asbestos dust and might have been the cause of her mesothelioma.
“We are appealing for information from anyone who worked with Arthur at either Ocean Port Services from 1969-1972 and MDHB from 1972-1982 to come forward to help our clients with their case.”
Anyone who has information can contact Steven on 0151 305 2760 or email sdickens@leighday.co.uk.