5:09pm Thursday 20th December 2007
By Katie Adams
THE widow of a Chippenham man who was exposed to asbestos while building homes for the local authority has won a "substantial amount" in damages.
North Wiltshire District Council agreed an out of court settlement following the death of Derek Love, who lived in The Butts, after a lengthy illness.
His wife Audrey brought about the claim because her husband, during the course of his work as a plumber for the council, was exposed to asbestos for long periods of time.
Mrs Love's lawyer Brigitte Chandler, a partner at law firm Charles Lucas and Marshall in Swindon said: "Mr Love was exposed to asbestos regularly, often for up to five hours per day.
"After he became ill in 2003 he was sent to Bath hospital for X-rays when mesothelioma was diagnosed.
"He was in considerable pain throughout his illness.
"We had to fight hard to get the case through but have achieved a satisfactory result.
"No award of damages can replace Mrs Love's husband but I hope she will be able to use the money to make life more comfortable for herself and her family."
Between 1960 and 1970, Mr Love was employed by Calne and Chippenham Rural Council, which is now part of North Wiltshire District Council.
During the construction of houses in Corsham he had to install cold water tanks into the roofs of the properties, drilling through asbestos and brushing away asbestos dust.
He also had to cut asbestos cement guttering and asbestos rope for insulation of the boilers.
He worked in around 300 houses overall but was never given any protective clothing.
Mr Love, a keen gardener and DIY enthusiast had been a church warden at St Andrew's Church in Chippenham.
His widow claimed for damages for the pain and suffering he endured and because he could no longer provide for her.
North Wiltshire District Council declined to comment on the settlement and would not disclose the sum of damages Mrs Love received.
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