Woman’s asbestos-related diagnosis could be connected to washing her husband’s work clothes

Peter Vaughan worked as a welder around the areas of Ewell and Epsom in London throughout the 1960s, 70s and 80s, where he is believed to have come into contact with asbestos used in insulators such as asbestos blankets or gloves.

Peter’s wife Annette did the family laundry which included washing his work clothes, meaning that she also may have been exposed to the asbestos that he is believed to have come into contact with at work.  

Peter died in 2017 and Annette was diagnosed with mesothelioma in summer 2023. Now she is appealing to Peter’s former colleagues to help her with information about conditions at his work. She hopes the information will help her bring a legal claim as she faces the incurable disease. 

Peter worked as a welder and director at Surrey Sheet Metal Crafts between 1965 and 1967, a company he set up with two other men.  

Peter was then employed at Grundy Teddington in the Twickenham and Teddington area throughout 1970 to 1971, before working at Vestec for 12 years between 1975 and 1987. During his time at Vestec, he was a supervisor and often referred to as ‘guvnor’. 

While former employees who overlapped with Peter at these companies would be particularly useful, Annette is also looking to speak to anyone who worked at Surrey Sheet Metal Crafts, Grundy Teddington or Vestec who could offer information on the kind of work undertaken. 

Annette is also hopeful that any local tradesmen who worked in the area at the time may be able to offer information that could be of help.  

Claire Spearpoint, asbestos claims solicitor at law firm Leigh Day, said:  

“Mesothelioma is an aggressive, terminal form of cancer which can develop in an individual later in life even through secondary exposure to asbestos. Annette believes that this may have been the case with her diagnosis, however following Peter’s death she has limited access to information regarding the possible presence of exposure at his former places of work.  

“We are looking to support Annette’s claim by speaking to anyone who worked at Surrey Sheet Metal Crafts, Grundy Teddington and Vestec throughout the 1960s to 1980s who may be able to offer information about how the asbestos exposure occurred. We are also looking to speak to local tradesmen in the Epsom and Ewell area from that period who could also be able to provide information that might help support this claim.” 

If you can provide any relevant information please contact Claire Spearpoint at: cspearpoint@leighday.co.uk