July 22nd, 2005

The widow of a man that died from meosthelioma before seeing a penny of his compensation award is to receive all of the money transferred directly to her. Bill Ewins from Elizabeth, Adelaide, Australia, was awarded nearly $200,000 by a judge for pain, suffering, medical costs, and future medical costs. He was given six months to live in January, but died in late May.

The seventy-one year old had worked as a carpenter for BHP Whyalla shipyards from 1949 to 1963. This was where he was exposed to asbestos. The award was made early this year, but sadly Mr. Ewins died before any of it was paid out. Ewins had filed an original claim in Victoria, but his case was the first to be actioned following a change of law that states that cases have to now be filed in the state where the incident took place.

The decision to have the money transferred to the widow of the deceased man comes as a big relief to her. BHP had opposed the application, and it has only recently been resolved to Mrs. Ewins’ advantage. A lawyer that was acting for the widow stated: "That was an enormous relief to Mr. Ewins because it had the potential to devastate his award."