Widow appeals for information after Widnes father-of-five dies from mesothelioma seven months following diagnosis

Brendan Coffey started working for polythene and stretch film company Widnes Films Limited in the late 1990s. The company later became BBI Stretch Films and then British Polythene Industries Ltd. 

Brendan was based at the British Polythene Industries (BPI) factory on Tan House Lane in Widnes, Cheshire as an extrusion operator. This role involved operating machinery that shaped plastics. He worked there until 2015, at which point the factory was closed. 

The factory had a corrugated roof, which Brendan suspected to contain asbestos. He recalled that it was in poor condition and needed repairs. He also remembered that parts of the roof would be removed whenever the nip rollers at the top of machines were replaced.

Brendan also worked for a variety of other employers across the Halton and Merseyside area where he may have been exposed to asbestos. 

Outside of work, Brendan was a typical family man. His wife and children meant the world to him. He was very active and was as much of a keen golfer as he was footballer.

In March 2024, Brendan started showing symptoms indicating mesothelioma such as breathlessness and painful bloating in his stomach. After a series of investigations, including a biopsy, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a terminal cancer caused by asbestos exposure, in May 2024.

After receiving his diagnosis, Brendan approached solicitors Leigh Day to investigate where he was exposed to asbestos. He was determined to not only fight his disease but to get justice for him and his family.

Despite immunotherapy and chemotherapy treatment, Brendan’s condition deteriorated quickly, and he died on 24 December 2024, just seven months after his diagnosis. He was only 53 years old.

His wife, Cathryn Coffey, continued his case. She is represented by solicitor Georgia Pantazides from the Leigh Day asbestos team.

Georgia is especially keen to hear from individuals who worked at the BPI factory from 1997 to 2015 who may have information on the presence and disturbance of asbestos during that time. 

Associate solicitor Georgia Pantazides said:

“We believe that there may have been asbestos in the factory roof where Brendan worked for BPI. We are looking for witnesses who knew Brendan or are able to recall any repair work, or other structural work, to the factory (specifically involving the roof) and are willing to provide us with any details that they may have.

“Alternatively, we are looking for anybody who recalls working with Brendan elsewhere who can identify possible asbestos exposure in any of his other roles.

“Asbestos exposure, particularly as late on as the 1990s, may have been light or brief, making it more challenging to identify. Any amount of asbestos exposure is dangerous and could be a crucial detail for this case.”

If you have information that may help Leigh Day in their investigation, please email gpantazides@leighday.co.uk or call 0161 672 5232.