A Mum of four who claims her work in Bishop’s Stortford caused her terminal cancer is calling on former colleagues to help her battle for justice.
Lorraine Berry, who lives in Sawbridgeworth, has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, aged just 48.
Whilst struggling to come to terms with the fact she will be robbed of family life at such any early age, Lorraine claims she was not protected from asbestos dust while she worked for a development company in Bishop’s Stortford.
Mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs and is caused by inhaling asbestos fibres. It is more commonly diagnosed in people beyond their 60’s as it can take up to 50 years to develop.
Lorraine has instructed expert asbestos lawyers, Irwin Mitchell Solicitors to find answers about why she is now terminally ill in the hope of winning financial security for her husband, 13-year-old daughter and three children from her previous relationship.
She commented: “To know that I will miss out on so many important events, such as my youngest daughter going to university and my children getting married is impossible to come to terms with. I’m being robbed of my family life.” She worked as an office administration assistant for Hockerill Court property development company Pinecraven Ltd, which is no longer trading, from 1983 to August 1985.
Lorraine alleges that she was exposed to asbestos when she was based in a temporary office in the old Rye Street Hospital while it was being converted into flats.
Irwin Mitchell Solicitors is now appealing to any of her former colleagues to get in touch as they may hold vital evidence about the presence of asbestos and working practices at the firm.
Lorraine, who was working as a finance manager before she became ill, began suffering from breathlessness and a dull ache in her shoulder earlier this year. At the beginning of April she went to her GP who referred her to a chest physician and after numerous tests she was given the diagnosis at Hertford Hospital that she was suffering from mesothelioma.
She is now undergoing intensive chemotherapy which is hoped will prolong her life, but cannot cure her.
Rosemary Giles, an industrial illness expert at Irwin Mitchell’s London office who is representing Lorraine, said: “This is a tragic case and it is rare for a person so young to be diagnosed with this horrendous disease.
“Employers have known about the dangers of asbestos since the 60s and 70s so there’s no excuse for employees not to have been warned about the dangers of the dust and provided with protective masks.
“I’m appealing to anyone who worked for Pinecraven Ltd between 1983 and 1985 to get in touch as they could help bring Lorraine the justice she desperately wants.”