Asbestos Compensation in NSW dealt a blow

On Friday 11 May 2012, the New South Wales Government announced that it would not reform the law to assist persons suffering asbestos conditions, such as mesothelioma, to pursue a claim for claim for compensation.

One of the recommendations was to allow the family of a person who had recently died from an asbestos condition to be able to commence compensation proceedings within 12 months of their death so as to obtain pain and suffering compensation for their asbestos condition.

At present, unless asbestos compensation proceedings are not commenced within a person’s lifetime, pain and suffering compensation will not be paid to that person’s estate.

Claiming compensation for mesothelioma is often difficult simply because persons suffering this condition need to get their compensation proceedings commenced in their lifetime in order to obtain maximum compensation for their asbestos related mesothelioma.

Another recommendation rejected by the NSW Government would have assisted dependants of those who died from asbestos conditions obtain increased compensation. Despite such laws being adopted in other states, including in South Australia and Victoria, they have not been adopted in New South Wales.

It seems strange that NSW will not adopt asbestos compensation laws that have been adopted in South Australia and Victoria.

Australian Federal Minster on James Hardie asbestos court case

On 3 May 2012, the Australian Federal Minister Greg Combet issued a press release in respect to the recent decision of the High Court concerning James Hardie.

The Canberra Court made a determination against the former directors of James Hardie.

The Minister said:
“Eight years of litigation later, the High Court has vindicated the conviction that Bernie Banton and I, and many others, had in relation to this issue.”

Bernie Banton passed away from mesothelioma in 2007.

Mr Combet also thanked the many Australians who continue to campaign for justice for asbestos victims

Asbestos

The word “Aspestos” is a common misspelling of the word “asbestos”.

Mesothelioma lawyers

It is important to choose the right lawyer to assit you in respect to your condition of mesothelioma. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, often you are entitled to make a claim for compensation.

Stuart Lawyers have offices in Adelaide and Melbourne. Stuart Lawyers specialise in mesothelioma and asbestosis claims.

For more than 15 years, Stuart Lawyers have acted on behalf of hundreds of persons suffering mesothelioma and asbestosis living in South Australia, Victoria and in the ACT.