Asbestos Litigation
Some Australians angry at asbestos ruling
Asbestos victims and their families in Australia are reportedly upset with a decision by the country's Supreme Court that cleared manufacturing company James Hardie's board of directors of wrong doing regarding a press release.The directors had been fined as a result of their approval of a release that incorrectly stated the size of an asbestos compensation fund by more than $1 billion, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Karen Banton, the widow of an asbestos campaigner, said that the ruling lets the board off the hook.
"I really wonder whether they believe they've done anything wrong," she told the news source. "I really think they've convinced themselves that what they did is OK, and yet it was immoral and it will always be immoral."
Banton also expressed concern at the implication of the decision.
"[This decision] means there is nothing to stop companies from the big end of town hiding behind the corporate veil in the future and on any matter of issues. So it is a big concern," she told the news provider.
Exposure to asbestos can cause malignant mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
12/17/10
Related Articles
Japanese court awards asbestos victims $13 million, Janet Hartung, 12/10/12
Massachusetts company fined $100K for asbestos violations, Janet Hartung, 11/30/12
UK widow seeks information about husband's asbestos death, Ed Michler, 10/25/12
NY man and NJ company convicted of illegally dumping tons of asbestos, Ariella Yu, 10/24/12
UK widow awarded asbestos compensation following lengthy battle, Ed Michler, 10/3/12
Tennessee men receive prison sentence in asbestos case, Ariella Yu, 10/2/12
Eternit asbestos book launched in Brazil as fight continues around the world, Ariella Yu, 9/10/12
U.S. firm could be taken to federal court over Australian asbestos controversy, Ed Michler, 8/9/12
Former British Rail worker nets asbestos compensation, Ed Michler, 7/30/12
Expert predicts asbestos lawsuits in Jamaica, Ariella Yu, 7/2/12