Class Action Suit Filed by Asbestos Sufferers

Article Added April 21st, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story

A group of asbestos sufferers in the Osaka Prefecture will file a lawsuit with the District Court against the central government in May. A group of lawyers will defending the group against the possible governmental backlash.

The legal action was joined by eight people, including victims and families of deceased victims, and more are expected to come forward. The group is headed by lawyer Akio Shibahara, who hopes to see more plaintiffs join the fight. The Prefecture was home to spinning and weaving companies that often used asbestos. More than 200 factories were operating in Sennan and Hannan during the 1960s and 70’s. Health consultations conducted in the cities in November last year found that more than 60 percent of the people X-rayed suffered from asbestos related disease, like asbestosis and mesothelioma.

Financial assistance was the first line of help from the lawyers, how petitioned the government under a new law that went into effect in March. After state relief measures were reviewed, the group decided to act, feeling that the laws were inadequate. The current law provides financial aid to those suffering from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related lung cancer. Mesothelioma is the only known cancer that is directly related to asbestos exposure.

Article Added April 21st, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story