Last Updated on May 7, 2021 by

Widow takes action against Tesco following husbands death from Asbestos

The widow of a man who worked for Tesco during the 1970’s and 80’s is taking legal action against them following his death.

David Priest worked for Tesco as a Manager throughout the West Midlands area, working in different stores.

His job involved overseeing store expansions in the towns of Smethwick, Edgbaston and Dudley.

Mrs Priest says he told her that he had been exposed to asbestos during the course of the building works over the years.

He would often help to tidy up the site after asbestos tiles and boards had been cut up.

Mr Priest was finally diagnosed with mesothelioma in January 2016.

He lived for another 7 months following his diagnosis.

Mrs Priest said she felt some relief at her husband’s passing as he was in so much pain and was confined to his bed.

He was so weak at the end that he couldn’t even eat.

The couple have been denied their retirement together, and as a result Mrs Priest is seeking justice for her late husband.

Mr Priest had a long history of working for the retail giant

David Priest had worked in food retail since leaving school.

He worked for Tesco from 1974 to 1985.

So too did his wife, Jeanette…

She recalls, “He was a stickler for doing things properly and would always make sure that areas were cleaned so the dust and debris didn’t accumulate.”

“That was the only place he could remember coming into contact with asbestos, but of course he had no idea of the dangers at the time.”

The couple moved to Blackpool in 1990 and ran The Andora Hotel.

They decided to close it shortly before David became ill.

Sadly, the couple never got the chance to fulfill their dreams of travelling the world during their retirement.

Jeanette said, “Christmas 2015 was the first we hadn’t worked in 25 years.”

“What we didn’t know then was that it would be our last Christmas together.”

“We found out in the January, and to be told you are dying and have nine months at the most to live is horrendous.”

“We couldn’t do anything. People kept saying we should make the most of the time, but how could we do that when he was so ill.”

“He was in a lot of pain, but he didn’t want to go into hospital or a hospice, he wanted to be at home.”

“I was devastated and still am, but by the end it was a relief. I couldn’t see him suffer anymore.”

Law firm appeal for help with case

David requested law firm Slater and Gordon to take on his case before his death.

They are now appealing for people to come forward with information.

They are interested in hearing from anyone who may have worked with David in places known to have contained asbestos.

If you have any information that could help David’s case, then please contact Emma at Slater Gordon on 0161 383 3474 or email Emma.Newman@slatergordon.co.uk.

Source of article:-  www.expressandstar.com/news/2017/02/19/i-will-battle-to-get-justice-for-my-david-widow-to-fight-tesco-in-asbestos-claim/

Duty holders and employers have a legal responsibility to manage asbestos in their building so as not to put employees at risk. Contact our Armco office for asbestos management and refurbishment/ demolition surveys on 0161 763 3727 or by visiting https://www.armco.org.uk/

Alternatively, to book onto one of our asbestos training courses, please call 0161 761 4424 or visit https://www.armcoasbestostraining.co.uk/ 

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Published Mar 02, 2017