London family receive six-figure sum after former textiles teacher dies from mesothelioma

Mary Richards worked as a textiles teacher at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School (formerly known as Starcross School), between 1974 to 1994.  

At the time, Mary’s classroom had a suspended ceiling. Over the 20 years that Mary worked in that room, the ceiling tiles, which were thought to contain asbestos, were regularly moved and damaged. In an incident thought to have taken place in the early 1990s, the ceiling collapsed, leading to ceiling tiles breaking and releasing asbestos dust.  

In October 2020, Mary noted shoulder pain which she initially ascribed to some strenuous DIY work she had been doing. She later developed shortness of breath and decided to see her GP. In November 2020, she was diagnosed with mesothelioma. Eight weeks later she died aged 86.  

In early 2021, Mary’s family instructed solicitor Catriona Ratcliffe from the asbestos team at law firm Leigh Day to investigate their case. The family highlighted that they had approached Leigh Day knowing that their mother would approve of the equal pay work carried out by the firm.  

Teachers and former pupils at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School remembered Mary fondly, and many provided evidence to support her case. 

Islington Borough Council admitted at an early stage that they had breached their duty of care to Mary, but later claimed not to have made that admission. Leigh Day solicitor Catriona Ratcliffe and her team applied to the court where the judge confirmed the admission had been made. The council subsequently admitted liability in full, and the case settled the day before trial for a six-figure sum.  

Solicitor Catriona Ratcliffe said:  

“Many people assume that asbestos-related illnesses only affect workers in heavy industry such as engineering, however asbestos materials were used extensively in public buildings such as state schools and hospitals. Sadly, Mary’s case is no longer unusual. 

“No settlement will ever account for the loss that Mary’s family has suffered, but I hope it goes some way towards securing a sense of justice.”