Family of technician calls on former students and staff at North Notts College to help with asbestos disease legal claim

Marjorie Garside, nee Rowley, who lived in Harworth while working at Worksop’s North Notts College, died in 2019 from mesothelioma - a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and is linked to asbestos exposure – just weeks after her diagnosis.

Her family believe she may have been exposed to asbestos between 1959 and 1966 while working in the college labs, where asbestos mats were commonplace and asbestos wool was used in experiments.

Following her death, Marjorie’s daughter, Catherine Margetts, has sought the help of social justice law firm, Thompsons Solicitors, to find out how she was exposed to asbestos.

Mrs Margetts said: “The college was where my mum met my dad, Garry, and they went on to be married for many years – so it is devastating to think this might have been the place that also caused her death.

“Life has changed immensely since mum died - we miss her terribly.

"We are asking anyone with information about how asbestos was used in the college labs to get in touch, as it could really help us in our search.”

Mesothelioma is a fatal form of asbestos-related cancer that can take decades to develop from the smallest level of exposure to asbestos.

While men are typically considered to be more at-risk of developing the disease, as exposure often occurred in male-dominated industries such as manufacturing and construction, women are also victims.

According to data from the Health and Safety Executive, of the 2,446 mesothelioma deaths recorded in Great Britain in 2018, 396 were women.

Marion Voss, of Thompsons Solicitors, said: “The life-changing effects of asbestos diseases caused from exposure in the past continue to have tragic consequences on families and communities in the present.

"In fact, statistics show that the annual number of asbestos-related deaths is still not dropping.

“We are hoping that Marjorie’s former colleagues and students can help Catherine find the answers she is looking for.”

Anyone with further information should contact Marion Voss at Thompsons on 0113 205 6343, or by email at [email protected].