Family sues Cardiff council over asbestos exposure that caused mother's mesothelioma

Caroline Bryan, a stay-at-home mother who never worked in an asbestos-intensive trade, succumbed to mesothelioma at age 46 after a brief period of breathlessness. Her daughter Brooklyn, convinced the disease originated from exposure at the Fitzalan secondary school she attended in the early 1990s, has filed a High Court claim against Cardiff Council, citing council documents that show extensive asbestos in walls, floor and ceiling tiles.

Phillip Gower of Redkite Solicitors represents the family, and the case is scheduled for early 2027. Cardiff Council said it would not comment on the pending litigation but reiterated that asbestos management in its buildings is taken "extremely seriously." A Freedom of Information request revealed that most Welsh schools still contain asbestos, and recent epidemiological data indicate a rise in mesothelioma among younger people and female teachers. Experts warn that deteriorating asbestos or past removal work may be increasing exposure, prompting calls for stricter oversight.