The family of a Darlington man who was killed by asbestosis in December 2009 is seeking help from his former colleagues.
Richard Todd, 77, worked for British Rail throughout north-east England until 1963, before joining Darlington Power Station until its closure in 1976, the Morning Star reported.
Isobel Lovett, from Irwin Mitchell, is hoping that people who worked with Mr Todd in the past can come forward and give information about the working conditions.
"Asbestosis is a condition caused by heavy and long exposure to asbestos. Generally you have to have much more exposure to contract asbestosis than for mesothelioma. Having identified the defendants, you then have to establish they had employer liability insurance for the whole of that period," she added.
Ms Lovett went on to say that as asbestosis is a divisible disease the companies are only held liable for the period during which they exposed the victim to asbestos. There can be gaps in insurance cover and not all employers had cover back in the 1970s.
Builders liability insurance holders were recently told about Frank Parsons, 61, who died from malignant mesothelioma after spending his working life on and around construction sites.