Joan Dawson is taking legal action against the RVI and is appealing to former workmates to come forward with information to help her case A retired hospital clerk claims her near 20-year career at Newcastle’s RVI led her to contract an asbestos-related cancer. Joan Dawson is taking legal action against her former employer following her terminal mesothelioma diagnosis in September, and is appealing to anyone who worked there while she did to come forward and support her case.