THE heartbroken widow of a man who died of an asbestos-related cancer has spoken out of her desire to raise awareness of the disease after lawyers secured her a six-figure settlement.

David Givens, a joiner by trade, died in August 2015, aged just 63 after being diagnosed with mesothelioma in February 2012. The disease affects the lining of the lungs and is caused by exposure to asbestos - often taking decades before symptoms begin to show.

Before his death, Mr Givens, of Sunderland, instructed solicitors to investigate where he was exposed to asbestos and why more was not done by his employers to protect him. However, this, and another subsequent investigation by another law firm, failed to resolve the case.

After his death, his widow Pamela, 60, instructed specialist asbestos-related illness lawyers at Newcastle’s Irwin Mitchell to handle his case. Fourteen months later, the team successfully achieved success, securing settlement for Pamela and her and David’s children, Kelly, Christopher, Mark and David. The payout comes from the insurers of one of Mr Givens’ former employers.

Mrs Givens’ legal team believed her husband came into contact with the asbestos dust during his time at John Cummings and Son of East Hendon Road, Sunderland. His uncle Ronnie Armbruster, who was foreman there, also died of asbestos-related cancer.

Emma Tordoff, a specialist asbestos disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell’s, said: “This case is sadly like a number we are involved in, with a person going on to develop a very serious condition and sadly pass away as a result of asbestos exposure which is believed to have occurred several decades ago.

“We hope that the settlement we have secured will enable Pamela and her children to try and move on with their lives following David’s tragic passing at only 63.”

The positive end to the legal action was only possible thanks to a number of Mr Givens’ former colleagues answering an appeal for information on the presence of asbestos at the firm.

Mrs Givens said: “Although I am happy that the legal action has reached a positive conclusion, nothing is going to bring back my husband and this is still something I find myself having to come to terms with.

“I hope that David’s story will help raise awareness of mesothelioma and make people think twice before they open up themselves to asbestos exposure.

“I want to say a sincere and heartfelt thank you to all of David’s former colleagues who came forward and provided vital information that enabled this to reach a positive conclusion.”