A Scots grandad is set to sue a brickworks after being diagnosed with an incurable lung disease.
John McCrae, 79, claims he developed a condition called silicosis after breathing in deadly dust particles for nearly two decades at GR Stein Refractories in Castlecary, Stirlingshire
The pensioner said his concerned daughter persuaded him to speak to a GP about a raspy cough that wouldn’t clear up.
He has since dropped three stone in weight and struggles to walk down his garden path.
John hopes pursuing legal action against the firm will raise awareness for other potential victims.
He said: “I always had a cough, but it bothered my daughter more than it bothered me. I went to the doctor. He saw I lost a lot of weight and referred me to an X-ray, CT scan and an MRI scan.
“The hospital consultant could see something was going on in my chest. He asked where I worked and suspected it would likely be the dust.
“I just couldn’t believe it.
“Fighting a legal case could help other people like me with this disease so it’s the right thing to do.
“I beg you – don’t ignore the symptoms, speak to your GP and talk to them about where you worked. If not for you then do it for your family.”
Silicosis caused by inhaling silica dust – a natural mineral found in rock – where symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, fatigue and weight loss. There is no cure for silicosis – it is a chronic and progressive disease that is similar to conditions caused by asbestos.
Those most at risk of silicosis include stonemasons, demolition workers, people who work in quarries or, like John, people employed in brickworks.
John worked as a chargehand at GR Stein brickworks between 1962 and 1981. Legal papers filed by Digby Brown Solicitors state he was in close contact with giant brick crushing machines, which filled the immediate environment with dust containing silica particles. It is also claimed the firm failed to provide specialist breathing masks and a ventilated workplace that would have protected him from the toxic exposure.
John and his family have thrown their support behind Silicosis Awareness Scotland – a vital new online resource to help sufferers.
Euan Love, Head of the firm’s Industrial Disease team and the top industrial disease lawyer in Scotland, fears hundreds more silicosis sufferers could be denied justice.
He said: “Authorities have known about silicosis for decades which is precisely why employers had a duty to protect workers from the known risks of silica particle exposure. Most people know about asbestos and those diseases – silicosis is like a sister disease with similar symptoms and the number of cases reported across the world is rising quickly.
“It’s a disease people need to take seriously and that starts with people taking their symptoms seriously and speaking to their GP like John did. Luckily, the doctor in his case knew to ask about his work history which is a vital part in any investigation process.
“John’s civil claim is in its early days so we cannot comment further, however, we are committed to providing the support he deserves.”
The Record has approached the legal team acting on behalf of GR Stein for comment.
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