Fight to step up asbestos payouts

By Gail Robinson

CAMPAIGNERS from across the region are preparing to descend on the Houses of Parliament later this month to protest at a judgment which will deny thousands of workers suffering an asbestos-related condition the right to claim compensation.

The Law Lords ruled last October that pleural plaques, a scarring of the lungs which can be a forerunner of deadly asbestosis and mesothelioma, is not a disease in itself, and therefore suffers could not get compensation.

But campaigners believe the judgment ignores the anxiety and fear caused by the condition.

On January 29, representatives including trade unions, health groups, and law firms specialising in industrial disease litigation are heading to London to lobby the Government to overturn the decision.

Michael Clapham, MP for Barnsley West and Penistone, is at the forefront of a growing parliamentary campaign calling on the Government to introduce legislation to overturn th
e controversial legal decision. Mr Clapham told The Star: “It was a diabolical decision. Once you have got pleural plaques, the risks of developing mesothelioma or asbestosis is high.”

Carol Gill, of Barnsley-based Raleys Solicitors, is a specialist in asbestos-related disease cases and a trustee of SARAG, the Sheffield and Rotherham Asbestos Group.

Carol said: “I am just one among the hundreds of people we hope will attend this protest, and hopefully cause the Government to overturn this appalling decision.

“A diagnosis of pleural plaques means an individual does have an increased risk of developing another asbestos related disease.

“The insurance industry will save in the region of £1.4 million because of this decision. We firmly believe that, without pressure from those who are affected by this decision, there will be no prospect of a return of the right to compensation.”

Source: http://www.thestar.co.uk/barnsley/Fight-to-step-up-asbestos.3679928.jp

Asbestos killed worker

A Northamptonshire man who spent years removing asbestos roofing died after developing a deadly tumour, an inquest heard.

Dennis Millward, of Titty Ho, Raunds, died at the age of 73 after he was diagnosed with mesothelioma, which is associated with asbestos.

His wife June told Kettering Magistrates Court he worked for a time moving asbestos window sills at a block of flats in London. He would also cut and grind asbestos sheets without wearing any protective clothing.

Mr Millward went to the doctor after suffering from weight loss and breathlessness at the start of 2007 and died in Cransley Hospice on July 8, 2007.

Coroner Anne Pember recorded a verdict of death by industrial disease and said: "He was exposed to asbestos when the dangers were not known."It's a horrendous illness for which there's no cure."

Source: http://www.northantset.co.uk/news/Asbestos-killed-worker.3686782.jp

Alfacell gets new chairman

by Susan Todd/The Star-Ledger
Thursday January 17, 2008, 11:47 AM

Alfacell Corp. said its board of directors has appointed David Sidransky as the company's chairman, a corporate governance move that separates the position from the chief executive officer's role.

Kuslima Shogen, who has served as chairman since 1996, will continue as chief executive officer.
"David and I have worked closely together over the past four years,'' Shogen said, "and his appointment to the chairman's post is a positive step forward as we progress toward our goal of completing Alfacell's transformation into a successful commercial-stage biotechnology company.''
The change of responsibilities is consistent with the ongoing efforts of the board to develop a succession plan that allows for a smooth leadership transition upon the potential marketing approval of Onconase, the company's novel cancer treatment.

Sidransky, 47, has been vice chairman since last January. He has served as a director since 2004.

Alfacell, which employs 16 people in Somerset, is developing Onconase as a potential treatment for malignant mesothelioma -- a rare cancer -- as well as non-small cell lung cancer and solid tumors.

Source: http://www.nj.com/business/index.ssf/2008/01/alfacell_gets_new_chairman.html