Mesothelioma Compensation
Some people who develop mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure may be able to claim compensation. Your legal entitlements will depend on the state or territory in which you were exposed to asbestos. In some cases, the exposure may have occurred overseas.
Mesothelioma takes a long time to develop, so your exposure to asbestos may have occurred some 40 years ago. You might think it was a trivial exposure, or you may not remember any exposure. Talking to your friends and family can help to bring back memories of places where you may have been exposed to asbestos.
An expert lawyer will also talk you through your life history and help you find out where the exposure took place. They will explain what compensation you may be able to claim and help make the process easy for you to understand.
Generally, a person diagnosed with mesothelioma has two different types of legal entitlements:
a claim through the court, known as a "common law claim"
a claim under a government compensation scheme, known as a "statutory claim".
"When my husband was diagnosed with terminal mesothelioma, we were advised to apply for compensation. He reluctantly contacted lawyers, and they assured us we had a very strong case. My husband didn't survive to `win' his case but I did, with a lot of help, caring, understanding and good advice from our lawyers." – Sharon
Common law claim
A common law claim is a claim process through a court. The claim is brought against the party or parties who caused a person to be exposed to asbestos. These parties are known as the "defendants". A common law claim begins by filing a formal court document known as an "originating process". The originating process must be lodged within your lifetime to protect your entitlement to compensation. As long as you start a common law claim during your lifetime, your estate will still be able to continue with your claim if you die before the claim is finalised.
You need to speak with a lawyer experienced in asbestos-related compensation claims as soon as possible after your diagnosis. If you're too unwell to visit the lawyer in their office, they can visit you at home or in hospital to discuss the process and how it can be simplified for you and your family.
t may still be possible to bring a common law claim even if:
you were exposed to asbestos many years ago
you no longer work for the employer where you were exposed
you have worked for many employers
you were self-employed or a contractor
your employer is no longer in business
you are, or were, a smoker
you were exposed to asbestos in another state or overseas
you were not exposed in the workplace
you were only briefly exposed to asbestos
you were exposed to asbestos on more than one occasion
you don't know how you may have been exposed to asbestos.
Finding a lawyer
Making a mesothelioma claim is a specialised area. It is important to talk to a lawyer or law firm experienced in this area of work, as they often have a wealth of knowledge about how and where asbestos was used.
You can find a leading lawyer in asbestos by checking the Doyles Guide Directory – visit doylesguide.com/australia and type "asbestos" in the search bar. Mesothelioma support organisations can also assist you in contacting an expert asbestos lawyer.
Talking to an expert in this field can help reduce the time taken to investigate a claim. Experienced lawyers also understand mesothelioma and what you are coping with. Your lawyer will work around medical appointments or treatments to try to make things less stressful for you.
How long will a common law case take?
The majority of common law claims for mesothelioma are settled out of court within 3–6 months of the claim being lodged. If your prognosis is poor, or you suddenly become very unwell, the process can be sped up to try to ensure that your common law claim is resolved in your lifetime. Only a few cases actually proceed to a court trial.
What if I die before my claim is settled?
Many people diagnosed with mesothelioma worry that their claim won't be finalised before they die. The largest component of compensation is usually the general damages. So long as you start a common law claim in your lifetime, then your entitlement to general damages is protected, and your estate would be able to continue with your claim if you die before your claim is finalised.
In some circumstances, your family may also be entitled to dependency entitlements if you die because of the mesothelioma. Your lawyer will let you know if this applies to you and your family.
How much does legal action cost?
Legal costs are generally dependent on the amount of legal work required to resolve your case. Most lawyers who specialise in asbestos-related compensation claims offer a "no win, no fee" agreement. This means that the lawyers will only charge for legal services if they are successful in resolving your case. You are also entitled to claim a large portion of your legal costs from the defendants as part of your common law claim. The amount of costs awarded will depend on whether your case was resolved at mediation or at trial.
Ask your lawyer for a costs agreement and get them to talk it through with you so you know what is involved. Be aware that even under a "no win, no fee" agreement, if you:
start a claim but decide to cease the action, you will usually need to pay any legal costs up to that point
proceed but lose the court case, you will not need to pay your
lawyer, but you may still need to pay court costs for yourself and possibly for the defendant
are successful, a significant portion of your compensation might be absorbed by any costs that the defendant doesn't have to pay.
Statutory claims
Some states and territories have special government compensation schemes for people who develop mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases. These schemes usually apply only if you have been exposed to asbestos during your employment.
he authorities for Australia's asbestos compensation schemes are:
ACT – WorkSafe ACT, call 02 6207 3000 or visit worksafe.act.gov.au
NSW – Dust Diseases Authority, also known as icare dust diseases are, call 02 8223 6600 or visit icare.nsw.gov.au
NT – NT WorkSafe, call 1800 019 115 or visit worksafe.nt.gov.au
QLD – WorkCover Queensland, call 1300 362 128 or visit worksafe.qld.gov.au
SA – ReturnToWorkSA, call 13 18 55 or visit rtwsa.com
TAS – WorkSafe Tasmania, call 1300 366 322 or visit worksafe.tas.gov.au
VIC – WorkSafe Victoria, call 1800 136 089 or visit worksafe.vic.gov.au
WA – Your employer's insurer or if unknown, Insurance Commission of estern Australia, call 08 9264 3333 or visit icwa.wa.gov.au
Commonwealth – Comcare, call 1300 366 979 or visit comcare.gov.au.
Do I need a lawyer?
It is possible for you and sometimes your dependants to lodge a statutory claim directly with the authority in your state or territory. However, most people with mesothelioma prefer to use a lawyer to arrange all their claims.
The laws around Australia vary and can be complex. Some people may be entitled to bring a common law claim instead of, or in addition to, a statutory claim. It is vital to consult an expert asbestos lawyer before applying for statutory benefits to ensure you aren't excluded from also claiming common law compensation.
Using an expert asbestos lawyer will allow you to access all your entitlements while concentrating on your health and spending time on the things that are important to you.
Advance care planning
It is also worth seeking the advice of a lawyer to ensure your will is up to date and that your intentions for your estate are clear.
You may wish to arrange legal documents appointing a substitute decision-maker. Depending on where you live, the documents for appointing this person may be known as an enduring power of attorney, enduring power of guardianship, or appointment of an enduring guardian. You can also outline your wishes for your future medical care in an advance care directive. These documents are part of advance care planning.
Cancer Council offers a Legal Referral Service that can help with wills and advance care planning, and assistance is free for eligible clients. Call 13 11 20 to find out more.
Pada jaman dahulu kala di sebuah dusun yang berada di Bangka Belitung hiduplah seorang nenek tua yang sangat miskin. Nenek tua itu bekerja dengan berladang pada ladang yang merupakan peninggalan orang tuanya. Nenek tua ini hidup sebatang kara dan saat orang orang sibuk bercocok tanam pada musim tanam si nenek yang tubuhnya juga sudah lemah lebih banyak menghabiskan waktu untuk beristirahat sembari ia kadang kadang menggarap ladangnya, dalam istirahatnya ia berkhayal ingin punya seorang anak.
Ia berfikir jika memiliki seorang anak maka ia tidak akan selelah ini untuk menggarap ladangnya sendirian. Saat siang pun datang ia memilih pulang ke gubuk reotnya untuk benar benar beristirahat. Saat itu ia duduk duduk didepan gubuknya sembari matanya menerawang kembali memikirkan khayalannya yang juga disertai doa agar Tuhan mengabulkan pintanya untuk mempunyai seorang anak walaupun hanya berbentuk seperti katak.
Tiga hari kemudian nenek tua tersebut merasa ada yang aneh dalam perutnya ,seperti ada benda yang bergerak gerak dan ternyata Tuhan mengabulkan doanya karena nenek tua itu sedang mengandung. Terdengarlah kabar itu oleh penduduk kampung yang berfikiran bagaimana bisa nenek tua yang tanpa suami itu bisa mengandung, mereka berfikir nenek tua itu sudah melakukan hal hal yang dilarang alias tidak senonoh. Nenek tua itu selalu menjadi bahan pembicaraan penduduk dengan tuduhan yang tidak tidak.Tapi ia hanya bersabar dan pada suatu malam terdengar teriakan dari dalam gubuk reot nenek tua yang ternyata ingin melahirkan. Berdatanganlah para warga namun belum sempat mereka masuk ke gubuk reot sudah terdengar tangisan bayi yang merupakan bayi nenek tua renta itu. Sang bayi lahir dalam bentuk tubuh yang mirip katak lalu menjadi bahan ejekan warga yang mengatakan bahwa nenek tua itu sudah berhubungan dengan katak hingga bayinya mirip seperti katak. Namun perempuan tua itu menceritakan kisahnya kepada warga perihal kelahiran putranya hingga akhirnya para warga kembali kerumahnya masing masing.
Walaupun putranya lahir dalam keadaan seperti katak tapi perempuan tua itu tetap bersyukur kepada Tuhan dan berjanji merawat dan menyayangi anaknya sepenuh hati. Hari hari terus berlalu tanpa terasa putranya semakin dewasa dan penduduk kampung memanggilnya bujang katak karena badannya yang mirip katak.Bujang katak dalam kesehariannya sangatlah rajin dan tidak pernah keluar rumah kecuali membantu ibunya berladang. Ibunya tidak pernah menceritakan tentang asal usulnya lahir namun suatu hari bujang katak ingin ibunya menceritakan tentang keadaan negerinya tersebut maka berceritalah ibunya .
Ibunya mengatakan bahwa negerinya ini dipimpin seorang Raja yang mempunya 7 puteri yang cantik cantik. Mendengar hal tersebut bujang katak langsung berkhayal andai ia bisa mempersunting salah satu dari mereka untuk menjadi pendamping hidupnya. Akhirnya bujang katak pun memberanikan diri mengungkapkan keinginannya pada ibunya.Alangkah terkejutnya ibu bujang katak saat mendengar keinginanya,karena mustahil baginya untuk mendapatka puteri raja dengan kedaan tubuhnya yang mirip katak. Tapi karena Bujang katak terus memohon maka sang ibu pun memberanikan diri untuk datang keistana Raja untuk menyampaikan niatnya.
Maka keesokan harinya datanglah sang ibu ke istana raja untuk menyampaikan niatnya. Sesampainya disana karena tak berani langsung bicara pada Raja tentang keinginanya maka ibunya berpantun
"Te...sekate menjadi gelang. Pe...Setempe nek madeh pesen Urang..."
Sang raja mengerti maksud perempuan tua tersebut lalu memanggil ke 7 puterinya yang cantik cantik. Namun alangkah sedihnya nasib nenek tua yang bukannya mendapatkan perlakuan sopan malah diludahi satu persatu oleh puteri puteri raja itu kecuali si bungsu yang tak tega melihat perlakuan kakak kakak nya. Melihat kejadian itu nenek tua pun pulang dan menceritakan hal itu pada puteranya bujang katak. Bujang katak saat mendengar hal tersebut merasa sedih dan iba pada ibunya tapi ia tetap punya harapan dalam hati karena ia yakin puteri bungsu mau menerima lamarannya karena puteri bungsu tidak melakukan hal hal yang dilakukan oleh puteri puteri yang lainnya. Maka datanglah bujang katak berserta ibunya kembali ke istana Raja.
Keesokan hari saat bujang katak dan ibunya kembali ke istana raja maka tertawalah raja dan para pengawalnya sembari mengejek bujang katak yang badannya mirip katak. Sembari kembali memanggilkan puteri puterinya dan hal yang sama dilakukan oleh puteri puteri raja yaitu meludahi bujang katak kecuali sang bungsu. Dalam hati sang bungsu ingin menerima pinangan bujang katak namun ia takut mengungkapkan itu pada ayahandanya. Sang Rajapun heran kenapa puteri bungsunya tidak meludahi bujang katak lalu mengerti apa maksud puterinya . Sang Raja akhirnya memberikan kesempatan pada bujang katak namun dengan mengajukan persyaratan yang tidak masuk akal dan sangat berat agar puterinya tidak bisa dipinang bujang katak yaitu dengan membuat jembatan emas dari gubuknya ke istana Raja dalam waktu tujuh hari tujuh malam. Setelah mendengar hal itu bujang katak pun menyetujuinya.
Pulanglah bujang katak dan ibunya kembali ke gubuk. Ibunya bertanya pada puteranya bagaimana ia bisa mewujudkan syarat yang tak mungkin itu namun bujang katak berusaha meyakinkan bahwa jika Tuhan berkehendak maka tak ada yang tak mungkin. Pergilah bujang katak kesuatu tempat yang sepi untuk bertapa. Selama 6 hari 6 malam sudah ia lewati namun belum juga ada keajaiban. Di hari ketujuh keajaiban yang dinantikan itu datang, tubuhnya yang seperti katak tiba tiba menguning bersinar keemasan dan mengelupas. Bujang katak berubah menjadi pemuda yang tampan dan gagah. Lalu kulitnya yang mengelupas itu pun berubah menjadi emas dan saat ia kumpulkan berubah menjadi batangan batangan emas. Sungguh keajaiban yang luar bisa dan bujang katak sangat bersyukur pada Yang Maha Kuasa.
Lalu malam itu juga ia mangajak ibunya itu menyusun batangan emas itu menjadi jembatan dari gubuknya hingga istana Raja. Saat pagi tiba sang Raja pun terkagum melihat jembatan yang dibuat bujang katak lalu memanggil bujang katak dan ibunya kembali ke istana. Ibu bujang katak beserta bujang katak kembali ke istana namun alangkah kagetnya Sang Raja melihat pemuda yang begitu tampan disebelah perempuan tua yang tak lain adalah ibu bujang katak.Sang raja lalu bertanya siapakah pemuda tampan itu dan pemuda itupun menjawab bahwa ia adalah bujang katak. Dipanggillah puteri bungsu raja dan puteri puteri lainya. Alangkah bahagianya putrei bungsu karena bujang katak adalah pilihan tepat untuknya dan langsung meminangnya. Kakak Kakak puteri bungsupun menyesal karena telah menolak dan meludahi bujang katak. Akhirnya pernikahan pun dilangsungkan dengan mengadakan pesta tujuh hari tujuh malam. Kakak Kakak puteri bungsupun akhirnya menyuruh para pengawal untuk menangkap katak katak yang ada disawah karena mereka berfikir bahwa bujang katak berasal dari katak katak biasa di sawah.
Mereka masing masing menyimpan satu katak dalam lemari berharap 7 hari kemudian berubah menjadi pria tampan. Namun alangkah terkejutnya mereka ketika membuka lemari bau busuk langsung menyebar seistana karena katak katak itu mati dan berulat. Keenam puteri tersebut berlari keluar kamar sambil muntah muntah karena bau busuk tersebut. Sang Raja yang mengetahui perbuatan ke enam puterinya akhirnya memberi hukuman untuk membersihkan kamar mereka masing masing. Sang Puteri bungsu hanya tersenyum melihat kelakuan kakak kakaknya .
Waktu berlalu dan Sang Raja merasa semakin tua dan akhirnya menyerahkan Tahtanya kepada bujang Katak. Mereka hidup bahagia dalam istana. Bujang katak Ibunya Puteri bungsu dan keluarga Raja lainnya. Bujang katak menjadi Raja yang bijaksana dalam memimpin rakyatnya.
0 Response to "Bujang Katak (Kepulauan Bangka Belitung)"
Post a Comment