Family speak of devastation at industrial disease death of great-grandfather

Great-grandfather Paul Sloots died less than a year after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, and his last few months were “horrible and cruel” as a result of the disease, which is an aggressive lung cancer.

The 71-year-old had worked as a burner in the demolition of buildings, and was regularly charged with removing asbestos lagging from pipework. Mesothelioma is caused by historic exposure to asbestos, and during his life, Paul, from Port Talbot, recalled being “covered from head to toe” in dust, which was impossible not to inhale.

After being diagnosed with mesothelioma in May 2024, Paul’s health declined over the following months, and he experienced significant pain and suffering before his death in April of this year.

Now, his granddaughter Tegan has paid tribute to her beloved grandfather, who she called ‘Dad’ due to the bond between the two. Paul had three children, six grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Throughout Tegan’s life, and particularly since the loss of Paul’s wife in 2012, they have been very close.

“He was such an amazing, happy, family orientated man. I lived with him and my nan for many years, since I was 11, and they were the perfect grandparents. I loved them so much. When my nan died, somehow dad found the strength to carry on for the rest of the family and be there for us all, as he always was. Our King, as we called him,” says Tegan.

“I used to love going fishing with him at the beach, I remember as a child I would be worried about him climbing on the rocks in case he fell, but he was such a trooper. We used to laugh about how he would blow dry my hair when I was little, while I was running around the coffee table. He would say how proud he was of me now that I’m grown up.

“My relationship with dad was so special. He was always there for me whatever I needed, and for my children. When he was fit and well, without fail he would be in my house every night for a cup of tea. I miss him so much, there’s a void in my life and nothing is the same.”

From living an active life, Paul first began experiencing symptoms of mesothelioma in April 2024, when he was admitted to Morriston Hospital with breathlessness and a cough. He was diagnosed with the devastating disease a month later.

“His mesothelioma diagnosis turned our whole world upside down and his final few weeks were just absolutely heartbreaking to watch. It was so horrible and cruel to watch

someone you love so much go through something like that, and there was nothing I could do to change the outcome,” says Tegan.

“He lost so much weight, he was so unwell all the time and every time he went into hospital I was so scared. In the end he just couldn’t breathe on his own without oxygen and all the treatment was stopped. We ended up losing him nearly a year after diagnosis, which was so quick.”

When Paul discovered he had mesothelioma, he turned to industrial disease lawyers at Slater and Gordon to establish where he had contracted the deadly illness. A settlement was secured from three of his former employers by senior associate Sarah James.

“Dad was so grateful to Sarah for getting justice for him, and so am I. She was so professional and kind and would check in on him, I’ll always appreciate how much she cared. I’m grateful from the bottom of my heart,” says Tegan.

“I would absolutely encourage anyone who is in our position to understand their legal rights if they were exposed to asbestos – all employers should be held accountable for the pain, suffering and loss of life that has been caused through people doing their jobs.”

Sarah James, based in Slater and Gordon’s Cardiff office, adds: “Paul’s family have been left devastated by his cruel death, and especially Tegan, who had such a wonderful relationship with her beloved grandfather.

“Too many families are being devastated by the impact of asbestos exposure, and we will fight for justice on their behalf to ensure they get the answers and accountability they need and deserve.”