Family's search for answers after Leeds mum's asbestos death

The family of a Leeds woman who died from an asbestos-related disease is urging her former colleagues to come forward with any information they might have about the conditions at her workplace.

Christine Brierley, from Wortley, died in August aged 73, just three months after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Christine Brierley.placeholder image
Christine Brierley.

She was a domestic assistant at Leeds University Union from the early 1990s until shortly after her diagnosis and would on occasion clean up dust created by workers carrying out building refurbishments.

Now her loved ones, who are being advised by the specialist asbestos litigation team at Thompsons Solicitors, are trying to establish the full facts about the conditions at Leeds University Union.

Christine’s daughter, Tracy, said: “My mum was the most health-conscious person I’d ever met – she didn’t smoke or drink alcohol and would exercise regularly, even in her 60s and 70s.

“No one could have predicted that she would be diagnosed with mesothelioma, and within just a couple of months of becoming ill she had lost a lot of weight and struggled to move. It was tragic.”

Marion Voss, the solicitor at Thompsons representing Christine’s family, said: “We are looking to speak to maintenance staff or contractors that worked on building refurbishments, or anyone with information about the general working conditions to help the family with its case.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Leeds office of Thompsons on 0113 205 6343.

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