Jess Pittman

Jess is an Australian qualified lawyer, working with Daniel Easton in the personal injury department, specialising in industrial diseases.

Jess was admitted to practice as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of South Australia and the High Court of Australia in July 2017, and joined Leigh Day from Turner Freeman Lawyers, a national law firm in Australia, in December 2022.

Legal expertise

Jess’ experience in Australia was almost exclusively acting for people with asbestos related conditions, including asbestosis, asbestos related pleural disease, silicosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Jess has acted for people who were exposed to asbestos dust at work, and her experience in this area includes acting for asbestos miners and their families, carpenters, shipbuilders, plumbers and laggers. She has also acted for people who were exposed to asbestos at work in department stores and hospitals. Jess also has extensive experience acting for people who have had exposure to asbestos in the home, especially from conducting home renovations.

Jess has assisted in cases which have run to judgment and on appeal in Australia, including the following:-

• Acting for a man who was exposed to asbestos as a result of constructing a corrugated asbestos cement fence on his own property, and as a result contracted mesothelioma. The claimant was successful at first instance, on appeal to the Supreme Court of South Australia and on appeal to the High Court of Australia in claiming the out of pocket cost of immunotherapy, as well as compensation for his future loss of pension entitlements. The case also represented the first award of exemplary damages against James Hardie, the largest manufacturer of asbestos products in Australia.
• Acting for a “third wave” victim who suffered from mesothelioma as a result of renovations carried out on his own home. The claimant was successful at first instance and on appeal to the Supreme Court of South Australia. An application to appeal to the High Court of Australia by the defendant was refused, thus securing a right to claim compensation in the future in Australia by this class of victim.

Jess works from the London office, but is able to travel to see clients at home or in hospital.

Education

• Bachelor of Laws (Honours) – The University of Adelaide
• Bachelor of Arts (Politics and International Studies) – The University of Australia
• Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice – The College of Law (Australia)

Membership

• Thoracic Oncology Group of Australia
• Law Society of South Australia