The Most Popular Asbestos Related Lawsuits In Australia

By Simon Summer

Since asbestos was totally banned in more than 60 countries, with the rest of the world’s government still hanging on whether to impose partial or total bans – there have been numerous cases filed against employers due to diseases that resulted from asbestos exposure. The following article will expose you on some of the most popular asbestos-related lawsuits that influenced other people in Australia on how they would fight for their future lawsuits.

The Most Popular Asbestos-related Lawsuits in Australia

Australia has only one third of United Kingdom’s population, but its asbestos-related deaths reach to approximately 3000 annually. This figure nearly compares to the UK’s annual asbestos-related fatalities. This shocking truth was revealed in an article published in ‘The Observer’.

According to the same article, Australia imposed a total ban on the importation and use of asbestos since December 31, 2003. But despite the ban being in effect, the number of asbestos-related diseases is expected to reach another peak by the year 2030.

One of the largest asbestos-related cases in Australian history was that filed against James Hardie Industries. Through court rulings, the company was forced to establish the Medical Research and Compensation Foundation. It would assist the victims of asbestos exposure as a result of the performance of their usual job duties for the company. In 2007, the company added $184.3 million to its initial fund of $293 million. Despite this amount, there are speculations that it will not suffice to cover all future claims especially with the surfacing of recent studies showing that by 2012 there will be more than 12000 cases filed against James Hardie for asbestos-related claims.

Another celebrated asbestos-related case in Australia was that filed by Antonino Lo Presti against Ford Motor Company in 2002. The case was settled in 2008 when Ford dropped its appeal against Lo Presti’s $840,000 payout. Lo Presti worked as a mechanic for the motor company where he serviced asbestos brakes from 1970 to 1987. When the case was ruled in favor of him, he was already in bed at the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth where he was required to use bottled oxygen 24/7 due to difficulty breathing secondary to inhalation of asbestos fibres. Lo Presti’s case was regarded as the first successful asbestos-related claim by a mechanic against a motor company.

At present, there are many pending asbestos-related lawsuits filed in different courts in Australia. But the recent studies show that more and more asbestos-related diseases are becoming non-occupational in nature. The same studies revealed that home renovators and even those that are in the academe are chased by the ill-effects of asbestos.

Studies conducted by health research groups also showed that the recent cases of asbestos-related diseases have shorter latency periods of 30 years than the typical cases that normally have 40-50 years of latency. The age brackets of those being affected by asbestos-related diseases are becoming younger and younger. In an article published in the Australian News Magazine, a 29-year old woman was diagnosed with mesothelioma. The shocking truth was she was only exposed to asbestos in a rubble area where she used to play as a child.

In summary, the most popular asbestos-related cases in Australia have become inspirations for other individuals who have same predicaments over occupational asbestos exposure. However, there are also cases of asbestos-related diseases in which the origins are difficult to trace making the battle of health and lawsuit more complicated.

If you are suspecting that you or someone in your family has been affected by asbestos exposure, it is very important to consult a doctor for rightful diagnosis of your condition. If your house is being suspected of containing asbestos materials, it is an imperative to contact builders that offer asbestos removal services.

This article was first published at http://www.qhiasbestos.net.au.

About the Author: Simon Summer fights against the ill effects of asbestos to human health. He does this by writing and blogging about it. He pursues this efforts in collaboration with

builders

with asbestos removal services.

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=1136795&ca=Home+Management