February 9th, 2007

A case being heard at the Court of Appeals in the UK could see many dock workers losing out on the chance to claim for compensation for health problems arising from exposure to asbestos, which is a known carcinogenic that can cause a range of health problems including an asbestos related form of cancer known as mesothelioma.

The former dock workers won a test case in the High Court in the UK last year, which enables them to benefit from the right to seek compensation for their asbestos related injuries. The compensation would be sought from the government. However, the government’s Department of Trade and Industry in the UK seeks to get this move blocked, so that the workers cannot make claims.

A personal injuries law firm representative said that the DTI is trying to pass the buck in terms of responsibility, stating: 'The government is responsible for the dock labor boards who employed health and safety staff. Who else were the staff there to protect if not the dock labor force? It doesn't ring true for the government to argue that this was someone else's responsibility, and not theirs.'

He also added: 'Former dock workers who become ill from asbestos want to give their families financial security. Their choice of financial security or insecurity is in the hands of the Court of Appeal.'