An 82-year-old Bath resident is blaming his cancer on the 20 years he spent working on phone lines.
Bernard Mottram has begun legal action against his employer as he believes his work regularly exposed him to asbestos, which has led to his developing mesothelioma, a form of cancer that is associated with prolonged exposure to asbestos in around three-quarters of all cases.
Diagnosed in May, Mottram thinks that working around asbestos piping and drilling through asbestos sheeting exposed him to asbestos dust which has caused his condition. He is now looking for ex-colleagues who may be able to help him in his case.
Mottram was not provided with any face mask or protective equipment despite the dangers of asbestos being known at the time. He began suffering breathing problems in February of this year and went to see his GP. After being referred, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Mottram’s legal representative said:
“The diagnosis of cancer has been a huge blow to him and his family and, in particular, they are shocked that his illness is most likely to have been caused as a result of being exposed to asbestos at work.”