March 21st, 2006

A woman from Wales in the United Kingdom is being challenged over her rights to compensation after her husband passed away from the asbestos related cancer, mesothelioma. The woman, 58-year-old Sylvia Barker, is at the center of a test case where she could end up with a reduced level of compensation or nothing at all.

Vernon Barker died from the asbestos related cancer in 1996. As his widow fights for compensation, insurers are now fighting to change the law so that not just one company is held responsible for asbestos exposure when a person could have been exposed at more than one place.

Mr. Barker was just 57 when he died from mesothelioma, and the cancer stemmed from him being exposed to asbestos at steelworks in Deeside where he worked.

Mrs. Barker was awarded damages in 2003, but this appeal was brought by the company that has taken over the liabilities of John Summers, where Mr. Barker used to work.