Widow of Kent Asbestos Victim Appeals For Help From BICC Work Colleagues In Bid For Compensation

The widow of a man who died due to asbestos exposure is hoping that former colleagues and friends of her husband will come forward and help with her claim for compensation against her husband’s former employer, BICC of Erith, Kent.

  Evelyn Collinwood, 82, lost her husband, Fred in September 2006 when he died aged 77 after a gruelling five-year battle with severe lung and chest problems.

 Fredrick Collingwood worked for BICC in Kent, now Balfour Beatty, the engineering, construction and services giant, for 13 years, cutting large cables on machines and later he was in charge of health and safety matters.

 Mrs Collingwood says: "Fred was taken away from me too early and I feel lonely now he has gone. I am told that, if I can prove he was exposed to asbestos at work, I have a strong claim against Balfour Beatty, which used to be BICC, but I need evidence from Fred’s former workmates to help me with my claim."

 Mrs Collingwood’ s solicitor, Paul Meehan, partner at law firm Pattinson & Brewer, says: "Fred’s job mainly entailed cutting large cables on a machine to varied lengths and sizes. But the cables had asbestos around them for insulation and he became contaminated by inhaling asbestos dust whilst working at BICC.

 "Mr Collingswood’s health began to deteriorate rapidly in 2004 after 23 years of working at BICC. His breathing deteriorated and his blood pressure increased dangerously. X-rays later showed that he had fluid on his lungs.

 "Fred’s health worsened and his doctors located a lump which they believed was caused by asbestos.

 "Fred was a healthy man before he was exposed to asbestos and his wife needs to claim compensation for the lost income she suffers due to his death. She needs her husband’s friends and colleagues who could bear witness to the working conditions at BICC between 1972 and 1995 when he worked there to come forward quickly.

 "Without assistance from former colleagues Mrs Collingwood will have little chance of claiming the compensation she needs and deserves, so if anyone can help they should contact me as soon as possible."

 Anyone with information that could help Mrs Collingwood should call Paul Meehan on 0207 400 5100 in full confidentiality.