Japanese Government Assumes Financial Responsibility for Over 1,000 Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer Victims

In the United States, mesothelioma victims whose asbestos exposure occurred while doing government work can only effectively seek compensation from the suppliers of the asbestos-contaminated materials – the government is shielded from responsibility. That is not the case in other areas of the world, and last week Japan’s health ministry announced that it would be providing compensation to over 1,000 victims of asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma.

Work on Construction Sites and Factories Led to Mesothelioma

The country’s Supreme Court recently reviewed documents and witness testimony regarding asbestos exposure and ruled that the government was responsible for damages suffered by both mesothelioma victims and bereaved families of those who died. This week’s announcement follows that decision and indicates that for the fiscal year 2020 there will be 1,059 beneficiaries of the decision. 

All of the 1,059 individuals who will be receiving compensation developed either malignant mesothelioma or asbestos-related lung cancer after working at construction sites or factories, though an additional twenty people will receive special grants dedicated to bereaved families of those who died from the asbestos-related illnesses. Normally those individuals would have been limited to claiming workers’ compensation benefits, but their deadlines for filing claims had expired.

Japanese Government Anticipates Continued Claims from Mesothelioma Victims

Acknowledging the long latency period typical of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, the Japanese health ministry indicated that any citizens with asbestos-related concerns should contact them, and that they will be entitled to filing similar claims should diagnoses be made in the future. 

Victims of malignant mesothelioma in the United States have several different compensation options available to them dependent upon the circumstances of their exposure, but it is essential that they move quickly in order to avoid having the statute of limitations on their claim run out. For more information, contact the Patient Advocates at Mesothelioma.net today at 1-800-692-8608.

Written by Terri Oppenheimer

Terri Heimann Oppenheimer is the head writer of our Mesothelioma.net news blog. She graduated from the College of William and Mary with a degree in English. Terri believes that knowledge is power and she is committed to sharing news about the impact of mesothelioma, the latest research and medical breakthroughs, and victims’ stories.

Learn more about and contact Terri