Mesothelioma Compensation Australia: Myths And Facts Behind Mesothelioma Compensation Australia
Mesothelioma Compensation Australia
Mesothelioma is also referred to as malignant pleural or peritoneal tumours is a malignant tumor of the pleura. Exposure to asbestos is the principal cause.
Many states offer compensation for victims. An attorney for mesothelioma can help you navigate the legal claim.
claiming compensation for mesothelioma may be able make a common-law claim which could lead to a higher amount of compensation.
The Bernie Banton Law
The late Bernie Banton was the public face of victims of asbestos and the man who led the legal battle against James Hardie. His larrikin spirit, disdain for authority and determination to fight for social justice made him an ardent Australian crusader. He passed away in 2007 from peritoneal mesothelioma.
A State funeral was held in his honor in NSW on 5 December 2007. He was dying from mesothelioma that was terminal at the time. He was fighting for many years with James Hardie in order to be able to get Alimta to be included in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. His determination, articulacy, and passion made him a renowned national persona and he was hailed as a champion for asbestos patients.
He was born in Parramatta and worked at the James Hardie Camellia plant in western Sydney in the latter half of the 1960s and early 1970s. Like many workers at the time the worker inhaled asbestos dust as a part of his job and he was diagnosed with asbestosis and later mesothelioma. His older brother Ted died from mesothelioma, and one of his kids has a debilitating version of the disease.
The new law was named after him eliminated a rule that did not allow people who suffered from other forms asbestos exposure from suing for compensation. In the past, victims could only sue for compensation if they had been exposed to asbestos at work.
Since the introduction of the Bernie Banton Law a number of laws have been amended to enhance the rights for asbestos victims and their families. In Victoria there is a possibility to claim mesothelioma compensation in the event that they were exposed to asbestos by non-work-related activities such as exposure through secondhand sources and environmental contamination.
The new laws also expand the rights of asbestos-related victims to seek damages for income loss, pain and suffering, and impairment to quality of life. Compensation is also available for a range of expenses, including transport to the hospital, medical treatment and rehabilitation equipment. In certain cases, the lump sum can cover funeral costs.
The Wrongs Act
People diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases are entitled compensation. The amount of compensation awarded is contingent upon the severity of the damage and loss sustained. Damages are usually classified into two categories: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those which can be quantified in terms of concrete numbers such as medical expenses, treatment costs, and lost income. Non-economic damages on the other hand, are intangible losses such as suffering and loss of enjoyment of life.
Many states and territories have specific compensation schemes for government that apply to mesothelioma claims. However, people who develop an asbestos-related condition can pursue a common law claim. In order to pursue a common law claim, it's important to contact an experienced lawyer to ensure the claim is properly handled.
An experienced mesothelioma compensation lawyer will be able to inform you on your options, including legal compensation schemes, as well as a common law claim. They can also aid you in gathering the evidence necessary to prove your claim. This includes statements from your coworkers medical reports, statements from doctors, and any other relevant documents that may help support your case.
You can report your exposure, no matter how recent or old, to chemicals silica, asbestos, or chemicals through the National Asbestos, Silica, Chemicals and Fumes Register. By doing so you can prove the extent of your exposure and reduce the time it takes to settle your claim.
If you or someone you know has been exposed to asbestos, it's essential to seek out a mesothelioma compensation attorney as soon as possible. It is essential to be aware that mesothelioma is a complex illness and it can take years before patients get the compensation they deserve.
Currently, those diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses are subject to the Wrongs Act which requires them to undergo a thorough assessment of their injuries. This is to ensure that those who have been injured as a result of the negligence of other people are adequately compensated. This includes ensuring claimants receive adequate compensation for their loss of income, pain and suffering as well as the impact on their families.
The James Hardie Medical Research and Compensation Foundation
Mesothelioma is a fatal tumour of the linings that surround organs, such as the abdomen and the lungs (peritoneum) is caused by asbestos exposure. It is caused by exposure to asbestos. In Australia, most mesothelioma cases are pleural and affect the lung. Mesothelioma may also affect the chest wall and peritoneum. In both instances the lining of the chest wall becomes more dense than cigarette paper and can form a hard tumor about the size of a fist. The symptoms of mesothelioma usually don't appear for many years after asbestos exposure.
In 2001 James Hardie Industries Ltd set the Medical Research and Compensation Foundation with a sum of $293 million to handle future asbestos compensation claims. The company's executives assured the public that the foundation would pay for any legitimate asbestos-related compensation claims. The company later moved their head office and incorporation legal from the Netherlands to the Netherlands, claiming the move was for tax reasons.
However, despite the funds, it was later found that the fund was severely underfunded. In the latter half of 2003, it was clear that the fund would not have enough funds to pay out all the compensation due to asbestos victims.
This led to a massive campaign by trade unions and former James Hardie workers to make the company pay for the anticipated compensation gap. Bernie Banton was a former James Hardie Industries construction worker who worked there for more than 30 years. He was diagnosed with asbestos-related illnesses.
In November 2006 In November 2006, the NSW Government and James Hardie signed an agreement to establish the Asbestos Injuries Compensation Fund. This included a specific legal agreement that compensates victims of asbestos-related illnesses by transferring funds from a specific purpose trust funded by James Hardie.
The Australian Taxation Office provided the Foundation with binding private rulings they believed would result in an acceptable tax result for the proposed fund. James Hardie agreed to contribute 35 percent of the operating cash flow.
The fund has paid out more than $2 billion to asbestos victims. A portion of the money was used to support mesothelioma cancer research, including clinical trials to test new treatments. If you've suffered from asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, it is worth seeking legal advice about the best way to claim compensation.
Clinical Trials
Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the mesothelium, which is a thin layer of tissue surrounding many organs in the body. It is usually caused by long-term exposure to asbestos fibres that inflame the mesothelium. There are several types of mesothelioma. The most prevalent is pleural that affects the lung lining as well as the chest cavity. Other conditions include pericardial or peritoneal.
While asbestos is no longer used in Australia mesothelioma still continues to develop because of the long latency period. It can take decades for people to develop the symptoms of mesothelioma. If the symptoms are detected early enough, they can be treated by surgery or chemotherapy.
Asbestos victims may be eligible for compensation. This compensation could help pay for the costs of treatment. It also provides money for the family members of the patient suffering from mesothelioma. Compensation is contingent upon the mesothelioma type, the place it was discovered and how long the patient was exposed to asbestos.
Some hospitals in Australia are specialized in treating mesothelioma. These include the Bernie Banton Centre, Concord Hospital and Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. New mesothelioma treatment options are being developed constantly. Patients with mesothelioma can inquire from their doctors about clinical trials.
In Australia there are two primary methods for people to claim compensation for mesothelioma. They can either make a statutory compensation claim through WorkCover or file an application to the court. In general, the courts give more compensation than statutory claims.
The mesothelioma lawyers of Davey & Co can help people with mesothelioma to receive compensation. They have expertise in asbestos compensation claims, both for primary and secondary exposure. They can assist those with compensation claims and help them with finding medical specialists. They can also connect patients with mesothelioma support groups.
Mesothelioma primarily occurs in workplaces and homes where asbestos is present. Miners, construction workers, and others who worked in asbestos mines or factories are at risk. It is also possible to get asbestos by reusing clothing or other products. People who are at risk of developing mesothelioma should think about submitting details to the Australian Mesothelioma Registry. This will enable researchers to create policies that will stop asbestos exposure.