Retired plumber wins mesothelioma lawsuit just before dying

U.K. - A retired plumber suffering from mesothelioma passed away this month but not before winning his legal battle for compensation.

Ernest Hitchin, 87, of Bulwell launched a lawsuit two months ago against his former employer, the University of Nottingham. Mr. Hitchins was seeking 100,000 pounds in compensation. He said that during his job responsibilities of inspecting and maintaining pipework, he was often exposed to large amounts of asbestos dust which was present in the piping.

Mr. Hitchins was employed at the University from 1975 to 1985. He had worked at many locations on campus, including the main campus in Lenton, the Sutton Bonnington campus, and at student dorms in Beeston and Lenton.

He claims that the university never warned him about the risk of being exposed to asbestos and also failed to provide him with the proper equipment for working in areas that contained the material.

Mr. Hitchins first experienced a shortness of breath in 2004 and had repeated visits to the hospital for it. His wife recalls that he already knew the cause of it was asbestos even before the doctor broke the news to him.

He died on January 10th at the city hospital from respiratory failure, a direct result of mesothelioma. Tests were conducted which confirmed that there was asbestos in his body.

A spokesperson from the University of Nottingham confirmed that the lawsuit had been settled out of court by the school’s insurance company, although the amount was undisclosed.

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