Industrial Disease Experts Appeal For Former Workers To Assist Distraught Husband With Mesothelioma Case

The devoted husband of a woman who died from an asbestos-related cancer, is appealing for her former work colleagues to help with an investigation into the working conditions she faced at a Hotpoint factory in Peterborough during the 1960s, as he seeks justice for her death.

In February 2011, Gillian Stitt was diagnosed with mesothelioma, an incurable cancer in the lining of the lungs linked to asbestos exposure decades ago. Her health deteriorated rapidly and she died 10 months later just before Christmas on 20th December 2011, aged 70.

Her distraught husband, Thomas Stitt, of Eye, Peterborough, is now working with specialist asbestos-related disease lawyers at Irwin Mitchell as he seeks justice for his late wife and their children, Angela aged 48 and Allison aged 46.

Mr Stitt is appealing for people who may have worked alongside his wife at Hotpoint between 1962 and 1966 to get in touch and help provide information about the working conditions at the factory during that time.

Thomas revealed that when Gillian was alive, she spoke about cleaning the ovens as they came off the production line at the Hotpoint factory in Woodston, Peterborough. Allegedly, the ovens contained an asbestos rope/seal around the doors which may have been disturbed during the work.

Martyn Hayward, industrial disease expert at law firm Irwin Mitchell representing Thomas, said: “Mesothelioma is an aggressive and incurable cancer and causes so much distress to victims such as Gillian and their families. Sadly, many employers did not do enough to manage the risks of asbestos exposure despite knowing how dangerous it is.
 
“Because the illness is linked to exposure to asbestos decades ago, it can be tricky to gather information on the working conditions and relevant employer liability insurers.

“We would urge anyone who worked with Gillian at Hotpoint in Peterborough during the 1960’s to get in touch, as they might be able to provide vital information that may assist with our investigations.”

Husband Thomas, who still lives at the couple’s family home, said: “Three years on the shocking pain that Gillian had to endure still upsets me, but this drives me on to find answers and seek justice for my late wife.

“I can only pass on the information Gillian told me when she was alive about the working conditions but hopefully people who she worked with might be able to help to provide more information so that our family might be able to move on with our lives.”

Anyone with any information about the working conditions at Hotpoint, Peterborough during the 1960s should contact Martyn Hayward at Irwin Mitchell on 0114 274 4615 or email martyn.hayward@irwinmitchell.com.

Read more about Irwin Mitchell’s expertise related to Mesothelioma Compensation Claims.