Archive for category Exposure
UK Government Pledges Support for Victims of Asbestos Exposure
Posted by Marcus@SokoloveLaw in Exposure, Legal, Legislation, Mesothelioma, Research, Support on March 17, 2010
The Ministry of Justice in the United Kingdom has unveiled a series of measures aimed at supporting victims of asbestos exposure. They were announced after a government conference on how to respond to a 2007 ruling by the Law Lords which ended the right to compensation.
The proposals are a result of years of campaigning by advocates, who have fought for better treatment, support and compensation for victims and their families even after the 2007 legal setback.
Included in the measures are:
- The creation of an Employers’ Liability Tracing Office, which helps victims track down a company’s insurer (at the time of exposure). Since many manufacturers of asbestos products are no longer in business, finding their insurers from a given period has been extremely difficult.
- The creation of an Employers’ Liability Bureau which will act as a fund of last resort in the event the insurer cannot be found. Victims will receive compensation from this fund, if necessary.
- Increased upfront payments for mesothelioma victims.
- A series of payments of £5,000 for people who had begun, but not yet resolved a legal claim for compensation at the time of the 2007 ruling.
- A pledge to increase funding for mesothelioma research.
A local coroner, William Armstrong, supports the plans. He told the Norwich Evening News, “I deal with a substantial number of inquests into people who have died from asbestos-related diseases and the numbers seem to be growing.
“There are unfortunately people who have been exposed to asbestos many years before the condition manifests itself and many of them die in very distressing circumstances.
“Anything that can be done to help their relatives and loved ones claim the compensation to which they are entitled is very much to be welcomed.”
Ministers have also vowed to set up a working group consisting of mesothelioma lawyers, unions, insurers, the judiciary and civil servants to review asbestos law practices and procedures for obtaining compensation. They also hope to streamline the process in order to reduce the time it takes for cases to conclude.
Mesothelioma claims the life of American Hero Merlin Olsen
Posted by Marcus@SokoloveLaw in Exposure, Legal, Mesothelioma, Treatment on March 12, 2010
Pro Football player turned actor Merlin Olsen died on Thursday March 11, at the age of 69.
He was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a deadly cancer associated with asbestos exposure, in 2009 and had undergone chemotherapy treatment. He passed away at a medical facility outside of Los Angeles, California.
Last year, Olsen filed a mesothelioma lawsuit against NBC Universal, 20th Century Fox and other companies, claiming his cancer was from negligent exposure to asbestos according to The Washington Post.
Olsen starred at Utah State University before going on to play professional football for the Los Angeles Rams, winning numerous awards and never missing a game. He played in 14 consecutive Pro Bowls and was elected to the NFL Hall of Fame in 1982. While playing for the Rams he earned a master’s degree in economics from Utah State.
After his playing career was over, Olsen made a seamless transition to television, spending 16 years as a broadcaster for NBC’s football coverage. His colleagues praised him for his attention to detail and intelligent and insightful commentary.
“He was so thoroughly prepared, he should have been a lawyer,” his longtime NBC broadcast partner Dick Enberg told the Los Angeles Times in 2006.
He then became a television actor. He was best known for his roles on the popular shows Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy.
Olsen is survived by his wife of 47 years, Susan Olsen, three children, three brothers, five sisters and four grandchildren.
Asbestos Hazards Exist in Britain’s Schools, Report Says
Posted by Marcus@SokoloveLaw in Exposure, Industry, Legislation, Mesothelioma on March 8, 2010
A report by the Asbestos Training and Consultancy Association (ATAC) in the United Kingdom claims that the state of Britain’s schools could leave millions of students, teachers and staff at risk of asbestos exposure.
Citing a lack of standards or plans for asbestos management in schools (and other public buildings), the report backs the The Mirror’s “Asbestos Timebomb” campaign, which has called for a public register of asbestos surveys in all public buildings.
ATAC took a small sample of Britain’s 25,000 schools, and concluded that the problem of asbestos in public buildings is not being solved by current asbestos law that says it is safe if left undisturbed.
About 13,000 of the country’s schools were built between 1945 and 1974 when asbestos use was at its peak, according to The Mirror.
“The increasing number of mesothelioma deaths (an asbestos-related disease) amongst teachers and support staff is testament that the policy of management has failed,” the report says.
With the support of Members of Parliament, Teachers’ unions and asbestos advocates will take the report to the Minister of Schools and demand a change in the policy and asbestos law. Supporters seek a public register of asbestos surveys in all public buildings, including schools.
Asbestos in U.K. schools still a danger
Posted by Mellissa@SokoloveLaw in Exposure on February 24, 2010
A new report on asbestos in U.K. schools states many do not have adequate safety precautions and management systems in place. An alarming statistic of “3 out of four schools contain asbestos” per the Asbestos Testing and Consultancy Association report. They are calling for increased awareness about the dangers of asbestos and safeguards for the students, parents and teachers.
The current policy is to leave unexposed asbestos in place instead of removing it. Asbestos is believed to be safe if contained and not exposed. When asbestos is exposed it can be released into the air and cause long term health issues including mesothelioma, lung cancer and other asbestos-related diseases. 92 teachers and lecturers died from asbestos-related illnesses between 2001 and 2005 according to the National Union of Teachers. Advocates feel strongly action needs to be taken to remedy the current situation.
There are strict guidelines in place on managing asbestos in the schools, but unfortunately the schools are lacking resources to follow the standards. 16 schools were inspected and none were fully complaint with the current asbestos regulations. The report states only four had “adequate standard of asbestos management.” More concerning was the statement that half the schools inspected showed asbestos damage (potential for asbestos exposure).
Leaders in the field are asking the government to develop “a national audit of asbestos management” in schools to get a better idea of the problem and a plan to address it.
Read the original story: How schools fail to protect pupils from asbestos danger
Canadian Prime Minister Draws Criticism for Asbestos Stance
Posted by Marcus@SokoloveLaw in Exposure, Industry on February 23, 2010
Canadian Premier Jean Charest has come under fire for promoting Quebec’s continuing exports of asbestos to India and other developing nations during a recent trade mission to the subcontinent.
In 2008, Canada exported 175,000 tons of chrysotile asbestos, almost all of it to developing countries such as India, Bangladesh and Indonesia.
Chrysotile accounts for about 94% of global asbestos production and is considered a carcinogen by the WHO (World Health Organization). It is estimated that tens of thousands of people worldwide are diagnosed every year with asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Anti-asbestos protesters are accusing the Charest government of hypocrisy for exporting the mineral to the developing world while, at the same time, spending millions of dollars to remove it from public buildings in Canada.
According to the Montreal Gazette, Charest drew sharp criticism from a group of Canadian physicians who accuse him of misrepresenting the position of the WHO.
On the trade mission, he told La Presse “Chrysotile (asbestos) can be used in a safe manner; this is what WHO reports say. It is not a banned substance. It is up to the government of India to put the necessary laws in place.”
The physicians sent the Premier a letter denouncing this claim. “Premier Charest, you have the right to oppose the WHO position. However, and especially because of the public trust in your position, you do not have the right to misrepresent the WHO position as being what you perhaps wish it were, instead of what it is,” the letter says.
Click here for the full article.
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