Widow Seeks Workplace Witnesses After Husband Dies From Asbestos Exposure

The widow of a Kent man who died after being exposed to asbestos at the BP refinery on the Isle of Grain is pleading with her husband’s former colleagues to come forward to help her claim the compensation she promised her husband she would fight for.

 

Wilfred Human from Strood, Kent died aged 82 from the asbestos-derived cancer mesothelioma in January 2005. His wife Mrs Edna Human, now aged 79, promised that she would fight for compensation from BP Oil UK.

 

Mrs Human says: “My husband started to complain of pains in his chest in summer 2004 and later that year he underwent lung surgery

 

“He began work with BP in June 1957 and worked there until 2 June 1979, working on the jetties where tankers would come in with crude oil.”

 

Mrs Human’s solicitor, Paul Meehan from Pattinson & Brewer, says: “Mr Human worked amongst hundreds, if not thousands, of pipes at the refinery that were lagged with asbestos and he told his family that he believed that he was exposed to asbestos dust there on a regular basis. 

 

“It is vital that people who worked with Mr Human, or who have first-hand knowledge of the refinery in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, come forward in order to give statements about working conditions there.

 

“Mrs Human nursed her husband while his health deteriorated, as his breathing became more difficult and until he died.

 

“She would be very grateful for any help people could offer to help her with her claim against BP