Countries that Provide Mesothelioma Compensation

Asbestos Consumption and Occupational Exposure in GermanyIn countries of the European Union after the asbestos ban in 2005, the use of asbestos has nearly ceased . In Germany, there was a high rate of asbestos use in the 1960s and 1970s followed by a stepwise decline during the 1980s (Figure 1). Since the beginning of the 1990s and the asbestos ban in 1993, asbestos use has nearly disappeared, except for the persistence of about 80 metric tons used annually for the production of specific diaphragms.Open in a separate windowFigure 1Asbestos consumption and recognized occupational diseases in West Germany (BRD), modified from . In East Germany (DDR), the plateau of asbestos consumption was about 75,000 metric tons annually in 1975–1980. BK = occupational disease designation. Note, that past and current disease data were used for future estimates . For evidence of underreporting of asbestos-related lung cancer see legend of Table 4.


WHO argues that the best way to eliminate these diseases is to stop mining and using the mineral. According to a 2017 report from the U.S. Geological Survey, Russia, Brazil and China led asbestos mine production in 2015 and 2016. Brazil announced a ban of the production, distribution and use of asbestos in 2017.

A model by the ART estimated that about 16 800 individuals would submit claims to the Trust, of which approximately 5 036 (30%) would be successful. This was subsequently revised to 5 162. Of these, 219 (4.2%) would be environmental claimants, 150 (2.9%) would have lung cancer and 556 (10.8%) would have mesothelioma; the balance would have asbestosis and/or pleural thickening. No definitive figures were provided for the expected ARD1/ ARD2 ratio. The amounts payable for compensation vary, but the average amount of compensation since 2003 has been about R40 000, R80 000, R170 000 and R350 000 for each of the categories ARD 1-4 described above. These amounts are paid over and above any compensation that the claimants might receive under the ODMWA. In order for a case to be compensable, a victim needs to show that he/she was both exposed to asbestos from one of the operations run by the funders of the ART, and has a compensable disease.

German Guideline on Diagnosis of and Compensation for Asbestos-Related DiseasesIn 2011 the first version of the guideline on diagnostics and compensation of asbestos-related diseases was issued (currently it is being updated). Figure 2 shows the recommended stepwise diagnostic approaches with regard to asbestosis and asbestos-related pleural plaques or fibrosis. Histopathological confirmation is needed for suspected asbestos-related malignancies and for the resolution of differential diagnoses but not for the diagnosis of non-malignant asbestos-related disorders. In any case the diagnosis is based on a detailed exposure assessment, occupational and medical case history, an appropriate latency, the clinical picture and symptoms, and radiological and lung physiology findings. Open in a separate windowFigure 2Algorithm of medical expert examination for the diagnosis of asbestosis or asbestos-related pleural plaques/fibrosis according to the German guideline “Diagnostics and expert opinion of asbestos-related occupational diseases”.In addition to the occupational history, a chest X-ray is fundamental for identifying asbestos-related diseases, although high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is recommended in all doubtful situations because of its much higher sensitivity and specificity . The recommendations concerning the degree of compensation for occupational diseases considers the disease-related impairment of the individual in relation to the working market; details are given in the guideline for diagnostics and compensation of asbestos-related diseases .

Increasing public interest, publications in the media and socio-political discussion eventually resulted in a cumulative general awareness and contributed to a decrease in asbestos consumption. A scandal in one of the asbestos companies in the early 1980s, for example, where more than 100 asbestos-related deaths became known in the company, resulted in closure of the site. The equipment was simply exported to South Korea and production continued.