Asbestos Appeal Fought by Families

Article Added March 15th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

An award of 152,000 pounds to a north Wales woman is under debate. Awarded the sum for the death of her husband as a result of asbestos exposure, other families fight to maintain the decision.

The loss of Sylvia Barker’s husband in 1996 as a result of mesothelioma was not alleviated by the sum awarded to her. But Mrs. Barker finds herself in the middle of a test case in the House of Lords as a result of the award, now in the process of being appealed. Her husband worked in three different fields that exposed him to asbestos, causing his lung cancer and resulting in his death. Under the present law, even if a person is exposed through multiple companies to asbestos, the victim or their family may chose one company to sue for restitution. Insurers are arguing that the compensation should be spread out to all companies involved to relieve some of the financial burden.

Mrs. Barker was awarded the sum from the High Court in 2003; as the law stands, she could sue the other company that exposed her husband to asbestos and receive another sum, a situation that victims and their families believe should be offered. Insurance companies are fighting to change that law, stating that one payout split between all companies that exposed the victim to asbestos would be beneficial to all involved. The appeal is expected to last several days.

Article Added March 15th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story