THE daughter of a man killed by asbestos is asking for help from his former colleagues as she pursues justice.

Raymond Green, once a labourer for the Darlington Insulation Company, died in May 2017, aged 80, after suffering from breathing problems for many years

It was not until after his death that his daughter Joanne Harrison discovered her father suffered and died from asbestosis.

Asbestosis affects people exposed to high levels of asbestos dust over many years. In serious cases it severely restricts breathing and leaves sufferers breathless with chest pains and coughing after only gentle activity. There is no cure and in severe cases it causes death.

Mr Green, from West View in Hartlepool, worked as a labourer and asbestos remover for the Darlington Insulation Company Limited from 1966 to 1992 and for Darchem Contracting UK Limited.

With the help of the National Asbestos Helpline and Birchall Blackburn Law, Ms Harrison is making an industrial disease compensation claim to gain justice for her father and secure her family’s future. To do this she is trying to trace anyone who worked for Darlington Insulation Company Limited and Darchem Contracting UK Ltd.

Ms Harrison, from Hartlepool, said: “Dad told me that he always worked with asbestos and was involved in putting asbestos on boilers. I didn’t find out until after he died that asbestos actually caused his death so we never recorded his detailed memories of his work. We’re left with no idea of what happened to Dad unless his ex-colleagues can help us fill in the gaps. We really need their help.”

Jo Keene, an asbestos-disease specialist solicitor with Birchall Blackburn Law, says: “To help Joanne and her family find out when and how Raymond was exposed to asbestos dust we need to hear from anyone who worked with him or can tells us about Darlington Insulation Company Limited and Darchem Contracting UK Ltd. We need your memories. What were your working conditions like? Where did you see asbestos used? Were you provided with breathing masks?"

Jan Garvey, from the National Asbestos Helpline, said: “Asbestosis takes 10 to 50 years to develop in the lungs after exposure to asbestos airborne fibres. After such a long time it’s difficult to find out where and when the asbestos exposure happened. If we can’t uncover those memories then there is a real danger of injustice for a generation of hard working people devastated by the legacy of asbestos."

Ms Harris said: “Dad suffered with severe chest problems for many years and I feel very bitter when I think about it. All the things he couldn’t do due to his bad lungs because he was exposed to that horrible poison as a young man.”

Anyone with information can call Jo Keene on 0800 783 8485