Asbestos group closes down

A Canadian asbestos group that supported the mining of asbestos in Canada has finally closed its doors.

Amazingly, this group until recently was funded in part by the Government.

Canada still exports white asbestos overseas, mainly to developing countries.

It is a positive step that this organisation has closed its doors. All types of asbestos, including white asbestos, have been found to cause asbestos related conditions such as mesothelioma.

There have been mesothelioma compensation claims in Australia where the Plaintiff suffering mesothelioma alleged they were only ever exposed to white asbestos.


Australian asbestos risk from buildings

On Friday 27 April 2012, the Australian Council of Trade Unions called for buildings in Australia to be free from asbestos by 2030.

There are still thousands of buildings in Australia which contain asbestos.

Mesothelioma in Australia is at high levels as compared to the rest of the world. Small amounts of exposure to asbestos can result in a person developing an asbestos condition such as mesothelioma.

There have been many Australian mesothelioma compensation claims in respect to workers being exposed to asbestos in buildings.


Victoria mesothelioma concern

On 29 April 2012, the Melbourne Age Newspaper reported that many schools in Victoria contain asbestos.

The Victorian newspaper expressed concern that the state government had no plans to remove the asbestos.

The Victorian Minster for Education said that there was only a risk to students if the asbestos is disturbed.

The article discussed airborne asbestos fibres that are inhaled can lead to the development of mesothelioma, the asbestos related cancer.

Mesothelioma compensation claims in Victoria could occur if any child is exposed to asbestos negligently, and that child later develops an asbestos condition.


James Hardie drops High Court appeal in mesothelioma case

In 2011, a Victorian Court awarded $730,000 pain and suffering damages to a gentleman suffering mesothelioma. This amount of monies far exceed awards made in other states of Australia

In April 2012, an appeal by James Hardie to the High Court of Australia on the level of this compensation was abandoned just hours before the High Court was to determine this issue.

This award, and the decision by James Hardie to abandon their High Court appeal, may well lead to an increase in the compensation paid to sufferers of asbestos conditions, and in particular those suffering mesothelioma.