Son investigates his father’s asbestos cancer death
Tony Paines, who lived in Penarth, died from mesothelioma, a cancer usually of the lining of the lung associated with exposure to asbestos, often decades previously.
Following Tony’s death aged 81, his son, also called Tony, 61, instructed expert asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his dad’s illness and if it could be linked to his work history.
An old picture of his father Tony Paines (Image: Supplied)
Tony has now joined with his legal team in appealing to his dad’s ex-workmates to come forward with information about the conditions he faced during his career.
They’re looking to trace anyone who worked with Tony senior for British Steel Corporation at East Moors Steelworks (“Dowlais by the Sea”) in Cardiff between 1968 and 1974 and the British Transport Docks Board (later Associated British Ports) at James Street, Butetown, Cardiff, between 1974 and 1986.
The specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell supporting Tony, said:
“Understandably Tony’s son and the rest of his family are still struggling to come to terms with his death.
“We’re still seeing far too many families torn apart by the legacy of asbestos exposure and this is another example of the devastation and hurt asbestos leaves in its wake.
“The family have many questions concerning Tony’s death and while nothing we do can bring a much-loved dad back to his family, we’re determined to do all we can to help them find the answers they are looking for.
If any of Tony’s former colleagues could come forward with their memories, it would be a huge help to the family at this time.
“It could make all the difference in providing them with answers and closure following such a devastating period in their lives.”
Tony joined the British Steel Corporation in 1968. Employed as a general labourer, he worked on the production line, making steel girders, ingots and coils in the furnace section.
Tony likened the working conditions to Dante’s Inferno: hot, horrible, dusty and dirty. The steelworks had a complex network of pipes that Tony believed were lagged with asbestos. This lagging was knocked off regularly to carry out repair works.
In 1974, Tony moved to work for the British Transport Docks Board. The organisation went on to become Associated British Ports and was based at James Street, Butetown, Cardiff.
Tony was employed repairing trucks and cranes, servicing forklifts, checking oil levels, as well as working in the garage, repairing brake shoes, wheels, tyres and washing engines with chemicals.
Tony recalled the docks were a very dirty environment, with dust particles floating in the air and a constant metallic taste in the atmosphere.
Tony senior told his son that he could feel the difference in the air as he left work each day and returned to his home in Penarth where the air was much clearer.
When Tony spoke about his time at the docks to his son, he described his work in the garage and how he often took the wheels and drums off vehicles, using an air gun to blow out the brakes when they were clogged up.
Tony told his son that the brake linings were made of asbestos and that plumes of dust from this process could be seen in the air.
Tony had always enjoyed good health and was a fit and independent man for his age, until he began to be out of breath and wheezy in May 2023.
He particularly enjoyed time with his family, watching rugby with his son, carrying out DIY and gardening jobs and caravan holidays abroad. He was a devoted grandfather to his two teenage grandchildren.
After he became breathless, Tony’s GP sent him for tests and he was eventually diagnosed with mesothelioma in the summer of 2023.
After the cancer spread, Tony tried chemotherapy. However, his condition continued to deteriorate and he sadly died in the Marie Curie hospice in Penarth on 8 June 2024.
Tony junior said: “Dad’s illness came as a complete shock to all of us. He was a fit and healthy man for his age. Dad and I have always been very close and his death is still so hard to accept.
The doctors said mesothelioma was linked to asbestos and dad recalled that he believed he may have come into contact with asbestos during his working life.
“I remember Dad would come home from work covered in dust and there would be a burnt smell on his clothes.
Dad didn’t deserve to suffer in his final years with this terrible disease and we owe it to his memory to establish the truth.
“If anyone who worked with dad could come forward it would mean a lot to me and the family.”
Anyone with information that could help Tony is asked to contact Alexandra Lausen at Irwin Mitchell on 0117 926 1554 or email alexandra.lausen@irwinmitchell.com
A spokesperson for Associated British Ports said: “We are unable to comment on what may become an ongoing legal matter. ABP takes all matters related to health and safety very seriously.”
The Penarth Times approached Tata Steel for a comment, but did not hear back.
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