| Abuse victims free to sue after decades
VICTIMS of childhood sexual assault, medical negligence and workplace accidents could now sue for damages decades after the event, following a landmark High Court decision that will force former ATSIC chairman Geoff Clark to defend claims he led the 1971 pack-rape of a 16-year-old girl. Carol Stingel was "over the moon" yesterday with the court judgment clearing the way for her to sue the Aboriginal leader despite 35 years passing since the alleged attack. It will be the first time Mr Clark has had to respond to the rape allegations, as no criminal case was ever mounted and he has waged a constant battle to strike Ms Stingel's claim out of the Victorian courts. The decision significantly expands the number of cases that can now proceed even if the legal time limits for taking court action have expired.
(AFX UK Focus) 2006-07-27 16:57 GMT: Jury awards shipyard worker's widow $10M
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AFX) - A jury awarded $10.4 million to the widow of a former shipyard worker who died of lung cancer after four years of working with materials that contained asbestos. The Newport News Circuit Court verdict in Wanda Jones' wrongful death lawsuit against three companies that manufactured the materials was handed down Wednesday, the first anniversary of the death of 60-year-old Buddy Jones. "It's a mixed day," Wanda Jones said. "At least there's been some justice and recognition for what he went through, certainly through no fault of his own. He just went to work and did what he was trained to do on the job." Her attorney, Robert Hatten, called the verdict a landmark because one-third of the judgment will come from John Crane Inc., which has refused to settle other asbestos cases.
ABI: Quicker compensation for mesothelioma claimants
“ Insurers agree with the Government that action is needed to ensure that compensation is paid to mesothelioma sufferers quickly and efficiently. “ We have already agreed with the Government measures to make the current compensation system work better. We now need more fundamental reform to remove the need for lengthy legal processes, and to streamline the system." - ENDS - Notes for Editors 1. Enquiries to: Malcolm Tarling 020 7216 7410 (Mobile: 07776 147 667) Jonathan French 020 7216 7392 (Mobile: 07958 330 480) Lucy Butler 020 7216 7411 (Mobile: 07712 841 184) 2. The ABI is the trade association for Britain's insurance industry. Its nearly 400 member companies provide over 94% of the insurance business in the UK. It represents insurance companies to the Government, and to the regulatory and other agencies, and is an influential voice on public policy and financial services issues.
Despite dangers, a few factories in the North are open
Yona Fertouk, the head of the Histadrut labor union in Upper Galilee, is caught between a rock and a hard place. According to Home Command instructions, everyone living in confrontation line communities must stay in their shelters and safe rooms except for workers in factories and services considered vital to the war effort or those receiving special permission to keep operating. Fertouk is responsible for all workers belonging to the Histadrut in his area, which includes Kiryat Shmona, Hatzor and Safed. On one hand, he is responsible for their safety and well-being. On the other, he is responsible for making sure they have jobs. "What am I supposed to do in this situation?" he asked. "Should I take into account that the factory has to stay afloat so that the workers will have jobs after the fighting is over, or should I think only about the threat to lives now when they go to work? Where do I find the right balance?" All in all, Fertouk has taken a cautious approach.
I still want lung damage payout
A grandfather is among dozens of people in the area struck down by asbestos-related illnesses waiting on a landmark High Court ruling to see if they will be able to receive thousands of pounds in compensation.David Brown, 58, suffers from pleural plaques, a condition which means his lungs are lined with patches of asbestos.Up until seven months ago Mr Brown, who was exposed to asbestos when he worked as plumber at a number of companies in the city for 30 years and is now a bus driver, would have been liable to receive up to £10,000 in compensation.However, earlier this year Norwich Union successfully argued in the High Court that while pleural plaques showed a person had been exposed to asbestos, it did not mean they were suffering from any disease and therefore people could not make a claim.
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