THE family of a fit and healthy runner who died after developing cancer due to contact with asbestos are fighting for compensation.
Dennis Topping was diagnosed with malignant mesothelioma in 1997 and died on November 13 last year, aged 65, after a four-year battle against the illness. An inquest at Leigh Town Hall heard that Mr Topping, of Pennington Road, Leigh, was a boilerman and during his career worked at Leigh's two industrial giants -- Turner Brothers and Courtaulds. He worked at Turner Brothers for two short periods and at Courtaulds from 1979 until he was made redundant in 1983. The coroner, Jennifer Leeming concluded that Mr Topping had died as a result of an 'industrial disease'.
Mr Topping's wife, Patricia, and four children, Wayne, Troy, Darren and Tracy, have been fighting for compensation since his diagnosis.
Mrs Topping said: "It isn't about the money any more. It would have helped him live his last months in comfort, but now it is more about the principle."
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