More than twenty years after complete prohibition, asbestos continues to pose a serious threat to Australian lives, with respiratory illnesses still emerging from exposures that occurred decades ago.
The Silent Killer in Our Homes
According to compensation expert Anne Barlow from RMB Lawyers, asbestos remains a significant health hazard despite being banned from import and use in Australia since December 31, 2003. The naturally occurring fibrous mineral was widely used in industry and building products before its dangers were fully understood.
"Asbestos is a strong, heat-resistant material with insulating properties that was mined in several Australian states until 1983," Ms Barlow explained. "While banned from building products in the early to mid-1980s, it wasn't completely outlawed until 2003."
Delayed Symptoms and Ongoing Risks
The most alarming aspect of asbestos-related diseases is their delayed onset. Symptoms can take up to 40 years to appear after initial exposure, with fibres remaining dormant in a person's system for decades.
The first indication of trouble typically involves increasing breathlessness and breathing difficulties. Medical experts had predicted that asbestos-related diseases and deaths would peak around 2020, but new cases continue to emerge.
Home renovations represent the next major wave of asbestos exposure risks, as disturbing asbestos fibres in older building materials can release the dangerous particles into the air.
Compensation Pathways for Victims
The circumstances of exposure determine the compensation options available to sufferers. Those who developed asbestos-related diseases through workplace exposure can lodge claims with the Dust Diseases Board, receiving medical expenses and weekly benefits.
Substantial lump sum damages claims can be pursued through the specialist Dust Diseases Tribunal, typically targeting employer's insurance companies, asbestos product manufacturers, and site occupiers where exposure occurred.
For non-work-related exposures, such as during home renovations or from loose-fill insulation in residences, claims are generally limited to actions against the manufacturers of the asbestos products involved.
RMB Lawyers' specialist compensation team emphasizes the importance of understanding your rights and seeking professional guidance to navigate the complex claims process and secure deserved support.
