Landmark Asbestos ruling could open compensation ‘Floodgates’
Experts claim that a recent Supreme Court in favour of survivors
of a mesothelioma victim could lead to a rapid increase in
compensation claims from other asbestos damaged workers.
The ruling involved the families of Dianne Willmore and Enid
Costello, both of whom died of mesothelioma after being exposed to
relatively low levels of asbestos.
Insurers had attempted to argue that courts should make a
decision over the legal threshold of asbestos exposure before
compensation was payable, but this was rejected by the Supreme
Court.
As a result, while workers in trades where asbestos was
widespread, such as shipbuilding and engineering, provided the bulk
of compensation claims, now office workers, teachers and lab
technicians are set to make a stand.
"These judgments will see successful cases rise by around 10% in
the coming years as more companies will be held liable for exposing
people to low levels of the dust,'' said one expert at
PersonnelToday.com.
In the wake of the Supreme Court ruling, if someone is
wrongfully exposed to asbestos by one company or organisation, then
that organisation is liable, as long as the initial exposure to
asbestos was not "insignificant".
Groups likely to be helped by this decision include carpenters,
electricians, office workers in factories, painters and decorators,
teachers and lab technicians. If you fall within this bracket or
have been exposed to asbestos in any other profession, contact our
experts today and see what compensation is available.