Family of foundry worker launches appeal for help after asbestos death

Ruth Chainey, the widow of David John Chainey, has issued an emotional appeal for help following his death from mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos. The appeal is to workers at Foundry Services Ltd, which later became Foseco Ltd, based at Nechells, Birmingham. The firm supplied materials to the foundry industry.

It is believed the company may have produced a product called Ferrux which was used at a foundry in Cornwall where Dave worked from around 1966 to 2007. The product was spread over the top of hot molten metal to maintain its temperature.

We are appealing to anyone who worked at the factory and has knowledge of Ferrux or other hot top products and we are looking to establish if these products may have contained asbestos.

Sadly, Dave died aged just 75 years, having suffered from mesothelioma for the previous seven months. Dave was not a suitable candidate for chemotherapy but was able to have radiotherapy. Dave’s illness progressed quickly and it was devastating for himself and his family. He leaves behind his wife Ruth, their daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters.

Ruth says: “We got Dave out and about as much as possible as he loved being by the sea. We would take him out in his wheelchair or he would use his mobility scooter. We would go to the beach and to restaurants and his quality of life did improve following the radiotherapy. I was lucky in that I had a good husband and we had 53 years of happy marriage but I miss him terribly every day.”

Ruth has instructed specialist asbestos disease solicitor Andrew Stinchcombe from Novum Law’s Bristol office to assist with her search for justice.

Andrew said: “Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer which causes significant suffering for its victims and their families. It doesn’t usually develop until many years after exposure to asbestos and can typically take anything from 15 to 60 years. Unfortunately, thousands of people die each year as a result of just going about their everyday lives, working to make a living and being exposed to asbestos dust.

“Understandably, Ruth and her family were extremely upset to learn that Dave’s illness and premature death were caused by exposure to asbestos, and we are really hoping that this appeal for information will help us find some answers for them.

“We are appealing specifically to anybody who worked at Foundry Services Ltd or Foseco Ltd who may have knowledge of asbestos being included in their manufacturing processes at the Birmingham factory.”

If you have any information that may assist Ruth, please call Novum Law free on 0800 884 0777, email Andrew Stinchcombe on astinchcombe@novumlaw.com