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Widow seeks compensation for husband

Helen Johnson
1/ 3/2008

THE WIDOW of a Marland man who died more than 30 years after being exposed to asbestos at work is appealing for his former colleagues to come forward to help her fight for justice.

Des Murphy was only 59 when he died in March 2006, just 11 months after being diagnosed with the incurable lung cancer, mesothelioma.

Mr Murphy worked as a painter for Arthur Lord’s painters and decorators, based on Whitehall Street in the 1970s.

The company ceased trading more than a decade ago, but in order for his widow, Lorraine Murphy, to make a claim for compensation, her solicitors Pannone, where she works as a legal librarian, must discover which company was providing insurance for Arthur Lord’s at the time.

Mr Murphy is thought to have inhaled the asbestos dust when preparing surfaces for painting and solicitors are claiming the firm had a duty of care.

Mrs Murphy, 58, of Birchfield Drive, said: "It was terrible. The doctors did everything they could to keep it at bay, but as much as we hoped and prayed, nothing could be done.

"He had chemotherapy but the worst thing about this awful disease was that he couldn’t control all his pain.

"It was all the more shocking because Des was always such a healthy person before this. It just ravaged him."

Something Mrs Murphy’s solicitor, Pauline Chandler, says can complicate claims like Lorraine’s, is that many firms have already folded by the time their former employees become ill.

Ms Chandler said: "A lot of small firms in particular have already gone out of business.

"Cases like this are becoming increasingly common. Workers from a wide variety of occupations are being affected."

Mrs Murphy, who has three children and eight grandchildren, added: "Des felt very strongly that no one should have to go through what he did. I want to carry on what he started."

If you can help Lorraine, call 0161 909 3000, and ask for Rob Ainscough or Pauline Chandler.