A tragic death has left a family mourning after a wife, Veronica Kidman, passed away from asbestos-related cancer just a week after being diagnosed with mesothelioma. Her family suspects that her exposure to asbestos fibers while hand-washing her late husband’s dust-covered work overalls may have been the cause. Veronica’s husband, Ian, worked as a BT field engineer between 1971 and 1989, often returning home covered in dust from his job fixing telephone and switchboard faults.
Veronica, a former medical secretary, would frequently wash Ian’s heavily soiled work clothes, leading the family to believe that the fibers brought home from his job ultimately led to her illness over three decades later. The family is now reaching out to individuals who worked alongside Ian to gather information about the working conditions he faced.
Veronica’s family recalls her as a cheerful and active individual who loved Pilates, weekly walks, and spending time with her dogs. They noticed a change in her health when she began experiencing fatigue, leading to her mesothelioma diagnosis in January. Her family is sharing her story in hopes of raising awareness about the dangers of asbestos exposure and seeking answers from Ian’s former colleagues to understand how Veronica was exposed.
Despite the devastating loss, Veronica’s family hopes to shed light on the risks of asbestos exposure and encourage others to come forward with any relevant information. They are particularly interested in hearing from individuals who worked at specific telephone exchanges while Ian was employed there. The family’s legal representative emphasizes the importance of understanding the hazards of asbestos exposure and the responsibility of employers to ensure the safety of their employees.
