Family of ex-Boots manager from Greater Manchester who died of asbestos cancer want to speak to his colleagues

The family of a former manager at Boots who died of an asbestos-related cancer is urging his work colleagues to come forward as they try to work out if his career caused him to be exposed to the substance.

Michael Hemmerdinger, from Sale, was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lung associated with exposure to asbestos, and died last year aged 81.

His grieving family has now instructed solicitors to see if his career with the well-known high street name was the cause of him being exposed to asbestos.

They are asking anyone who worked with Michael at stores across the country, including in Greater Manchester, to come forward and speak to the legal team.

What happened to Michael Hemmerdinger?

Michael initially joined Boots as a trainee pharmacist in 1962, becoming fully registered one year later.

Over the years, he worked as a manager at many Boots stores. Between 1966 and 1970, he was based at the Alderley Edge store near Prestbury in Cheshire.

He recalled it was a very old building with a dusty cellar and a boiler which he had to stoke every day. He believed the boiler and pipework attached was lagged with asbestos.

Between 1970 and the mid-1980s, Michael oversaw various store refits at locations including Rochdale and the Arndale in Manchester as well as in Finchley and Hammersmith in London.

Michael began to feel unwell around September 2020, complaining of shortness of breath and chest pain. Following tests he was diagnosed with mesothelioma on 1 December 2020, and died on 9 May 2021.

In the last years of his life he was a carer for his wife Dorothy. He had two sons, Chris and Anthony, and one daughter, Tracey.

Following his diagnosis, Michael instructed asbestos-related disease experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate his illness and whether it could be linked to his work history.

Sadly Michael deteriorated very quickly after his diagnosis of mesothelioma and died before he could obtain the answers he sought, but his family are now continuing the search in Michael’s memory.

What are they asking for and why could it be related to his work career?

Michael’s family has joined with their legal team in appealing for any of his former colleagues to come forward with information that could aid the investigation.

They are keen to trace anyone who worked with Michael in a number of Boots stores in which he believed he may have come into contact with asbestos.

The plea has been made ahead of Action Mesothelioma Day, which falls on 1 July.

A recent report by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Select Committee into the management of asbestos by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said the agency had estimated the total cost of deaths from mesothelioma at over £3billion.

The authors of the report want the government to commit to a strategy to remove all asbestos from non-domestic buildings. Campaigners would like tighter regulation of asbestos in buildings, and the contractors that remove it, to include higher fines for breach of asbestos regulations.

What has Michael’s family and his legal team said?

Michael’s son Anthony said: “The past year has been incredibly difficult for the family since losing dad. He was the best husband, father and stepfather. We still can’t believe he’s gone.

“It was a huge shock to us when he was diagnosed and awful to watch him deteriorate so quickly, knowing there was nothing we could do. To then find out that his work could be to blame was another blow.

“Dad believed that he came into contact with asbestos during his career, however, he was too ill towards the end to recall much detail. I would really appreciate it if anyone who worked with my dad would come forward and help us.”

Katrina London, the specialist asbestos-related disease lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Michael’s family, said: “Michael’s diagnosis and subsequent death from mesothelioma has understandably left his loved ones upset and with a lot of unanswered questions.

“The presence of asbestos in our public buildings continues to be a major cause for concern and there is a clear need for the various regulations that were intended to result in the control and safe removal of asbestos to be improved and better enforced to prevent other families going through the same pain as Michael’s. Mesothelioma is a particularly unpleasant disease and currently has no cure.

“We would therefore be grateful if any of Michael’s former colleagues would contact us with any information that could help us with our investigation. Any detail, no matter how small, could prove vital in helping the family obtain the answers they deserve.”

Boots has been approached for comment.

What should anyone with information do?

Anyone who can help Michael’s family and Irwin Mitchell is asked to ring the solicitors on 0161 838 7262 or email [email protected]