A FAMILY has launched legal action to establish if a wife’s death from asbestos-related cancer was caused by her washing her first husband’s work overalls.

Joan Morris, of Benfleet, died four months after she was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung, commonly associated with exposure to asbestos-related materials.

Following the 83-year-old’s death, Joan’s devastated family instructed specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate.

As part of its ongoing work, Irwin Mitchell is now examining whether Joan may have been exposed to asbestos while washing the work clothes of her late first husband Donald Merrells, who worked as a tally clerk at Tilbury Docks in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Alexia Kapranos, of Irwin Mitchell, said: “While many of the cases we are involved in are related to those who have been directly exposed to asbestos during their working lives, instances when family members have had ‘secondary’ exposure are sadly not uncommon. From our initial investigations we believe that there is a possibility that Joan’s illness may have been caused by contact with her first husband’s work clothes.”

Donald’s work at the docks would see him count various products including asbestos powder and asbestos sheeting.

During this time Joan lived at The Beeches in Tilbury and Southwould Crescent in Benfleet.

Following tests she was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2016 and died in March last year.

William Morris, 79, who Joan was married to at the time of her death, said: “It was incredibly difficult losing Joan and two years on we are still trying to come to terms with the fact that she is not around anymore.” Contact Alexia Kapranos on 0207 421 3903 or email alexia.kapranos@irwinmitchell.com