Personal Injury Law

Washing Asbestos-Covered Clothes Kills Australian Woman

By asbestoshub

After shaking off the asbestos and washing her husband’s and father’s clothes for 20 years, Margaret Dawson of Sydney, Australia, died from asbestos disease at age 64.

Mrs. Dawson’s father Gilbert Batchelor and her husband Maurice Dawson were both employees of building material producer James Hardie.

When Mrs. Dawson was diagnosed with mesothelioma in May 2007, she launched legal action against James Hardie through the Dust Diseases Tribunal.

In a landmark case that paves the way for other Hardie victims to seek compensation, the tribunal not only paid her almost $350,000 in personal compensation but another $193,000 in unpaid earning for looking after her two grandchildren.

Sadly, Mrs Dawson lost her fight for life against mesothelioma eight months before the case was settled. Her family described the 18-month battle against James Hardie as “disgusting” - the company appealed to the Supreme Court before finally losing the case late March 2009.

James Hardie vice-president of investor and media relations Sean O’Sullivan refused to comment on the case.

He said it was a matter for the Asbestos Injuries Compensation Fund. The fund was set up by the company 2001 in an attempt to avoid their obligations to asbestos victims.

The family’s solicitor Ann-Maree Pascoli from Turner Freeman said Mrs. showed amazing courage despite a “relentless” fight from James Hardie.

“Margaret was extraordinary. She was determined to fight the matter,” she said.

Unfortunately, Mrs. Dawson’s plight is not unusual and we may unfortunately see more second-hand asbestos exposure claims arising from the wives of asbestos workers.

Full post as published by Asbestos HUB on April 15, 2009 (boomark / email).