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The Carter Hawkins Legacy

Carter Hawkins Lawyers is built on the legacy of Bob Carter and Paul Hawkins — two men whose stories reflect the lived reality of occupational dust exposure in Australia.

Both lived full lives defined by hard work, family and resilience.  Bob, a hardworking tradesman and merchant navy worker, and Paul, a dedicated electrician and family man, were unknowingly exposed to asbestos during the course of their ordinary working lives. Decades later, both were diagnosed with mesothelioma and faced their illness with remarkable strength, surrounded by their families.

Like many Australians of their generation, they were unknowingly exposed to asbestos during the course of ordinary employment, decades before the risks were widely understood. Later in life, both were diagnosed with mesothelioma and faced their illness with courage, surrounded by those who loved them.

Their stories reflect the experiences of so many who were unknowingly exposed to asbestos during the course of employment – they were hardworking Australians who were resilient, devoted to their loved ones, and deserving of recognition and justice. We are proud to carry forward their legacy by advocating for families affected by asbestos and other dust diseases, ensuring that their courage continues to inspire meaningful accountability and change.

Behind every claim is a person who worked hard for their family – either at work or at home washing their loved ones clothes, or those who performed home renovations to try and save money.  They were often unknowingly exposed to dangerous materials and later faced devastating diagnoses with courage and dignity. We see it as our responsibility not only to pursue justice, but to ensure those stories are acknowledged and never forgotten.

Bob Carter (1940–2023)

Bob Carter was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who lived a life grounded in hard work, resilience and deep commitment to his family. Born in Sydney in 1940, Bob spent much of his career in hands-on industrial and trade roles including in the merchant Navy and in various meat abattoirs across Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales where he encountered asbestos-containing materials on a regular basis and often without any warning or meaningful protection. Like many Australians of his era, he simply got on with the job, unaware that even one of those everyday exposures to asbestos would have devastating consequences years later.

Decades on, Bob was diagnosed with mesothelioma. He faced the illness with quiet strength and dignity, enduring the physical and emotional toll of treatment while remaining focused on the people he loved most.

Bob passed away on 20 March 2023, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Laurel, and his daughter, three sons and several grandchildren. He is deeply missed by those closest to him, who remember his warmth, resilience and unwavering care. We are honoured to share Bob’s story and to continue advocating for justice on behalf of families affected by asbestos disease, ensuring his legacy endures.

Paul Hawkins (1940–2021)

Paul Hawkins was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and hardworking electrician whose life was shaped by resilience, generosity and quiet strength.

Born in Sydney in 1940, Paul began his working life as a teenage apprentice electrician and spent many years servicing factories and homes across New South Wales. It was during this time, particularly through repeated work at an asbestos manufacturing plant and handling asbestos-containing materials that he was unknowingly exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos dust, without warning or protection. Paul’s phenomenal sense of humour never wavered throughout the course of his illness.

Paul went on to build a full and active life with his wife Janet, raising four children and later running a successful family business. Decades after his exposure to asbestos, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. He faced the disease with courage, enduring years of pain, treatment and declining health while remaining deeply devoted to his family.

Paul passed away on 23 July 2021, surrounded by love. He is survived by his three daughters and one son, and several grandchildren. Our firm proudly carries forward Paul’s legacy, honouring his story by fighting for justice for families affected by asbestos disease.