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, hiduplah seorang putri yang sangat angkuh. Jika ada pria yang datang untuk melamarnya, dia akan memberinya beberapa teka-teki untuk ditebak. Jika mereka gagal menebaknya, mereka akan dicemoohkan dan menerima ejekan dari sang Putri. Sang Putri bahkan mengumumkan ke hadapan publik bahwa semua pria yang belum menikah, dipersilakan untuk menguji keahlian mereka dalam menebak teka-tekinya, dan siapa pun yang bisa memecahkan teka-tekinya akan menjadi suaminya.
Pengumuman yang dikatakan putripunterdengar pula oleh tiga orang penjahit, dua orang penjahit yang lebih tua berpikir bahwa setelah berhasil membuat begitu banyak jahitan halus, kuat, dan tidak pernah ada yang salah pada jahitannya, mereka yakin akan dapat melakukan hal lain secara benar juga. Penjahit yang ketiga adalah pemuda pemalas yang bahkan tidak tahu bagaimana menjahit dengan benar, tetapi berpikir bahwa keberuntungan akan selalu berada di pihaknya.
Kedua penjahit yang lebih tua berkata kepadanya, "Tinggallah saja di rumah, karena kamu tidak akan mendapat banyak dari otakmu."
Akan tetapi, penjahit termudaitu tidak menjadi gentar, dan mengatakan dia telah mantap dengan pendiriannya, dan bermaksud untuk memperbaiki nasibnya sendiri dengan cara menikahi sang Putri tersebut. Ketiga penjahit ini kemudian berangkat menuju ke istana, di mana mereka memperkenalkan diri mereka di hadapan sang Putri, dan memohon untuk diperkenankan menebak teka-teki, karena mereka adalah orang-orang yang pandai dan berotak encer.
Maka berkatalah sang Putri, "Saya memiliki dua macam rambut di kepala. Warna apa sajakah rambut saya itu?"
"Jika hanya itu teka-tekinya," kata penjahit pertama, "jawabannya pastilah berwarna hitam dan putih, seperti warna lada dan garam."
"Salah," seru sang Putri.
"Kalau begitu,jika bukan berwarna hitam dan putih, tidak diragukan lagi rambut Anda berwarna merah dan coklat, seperti warna mantel ayah saya."kata penjahit kedua
"Salah lagi," kata Putri, "sekarang mari kita dengarkan apa jawaban penjahit yang ketiga. Saya pikir, dia mengetahui jawabannya."
Kemudian penjahit muda itu melangkah ke depan dengan berani dan berkata, "Tuan Putri memiliki rambut berwarna perak dan rambut emas di kepala, dan rambut tersebut merupakan dua warna yang berbeda."
Ketika sang Putri mendengar jawaban tersebut, dia menjadi pucat dan hampir pingsan karena merasa kaget. Penjahit kecil itu berhasil menebak dengan benar sedangkan sang Putri sangat yakin bahwa tidak seorang pun akan bisa menebaknya.
Ketika dia telah pulih dari rasa terkejutnya, dia berkata, "Jangan kira kamu telah memenangkan sayembara ini, masih ada hal yang lain yang harus kamu lakukan terlebih dulu. Di kandang kuda istana, ada seekor beruang dan kamu harus bermalam di kandang itu bersama beruang.Jika ketika saya bangun di pagi hari dan menemukan bahwa kamu masih hidup, kamu boleh menikah dengan saya."
Dia sangat berharap untuk dapat melepaskan diri dari tanggung-jawabnya untuk menikahi penjahit muda dengan cara ini, karena sang Beruang tidak pernah membiarkan orang keluar dari kandang kuda itu dalam keadaan hidup.
Penjahit muda ini, bagaimanapun juga tidak menunjukkan sedikit pun rasa takut, dan dia berkata dengan riang di dalam hati, "Hmm, saya telah memenangkan setengah dari sayamebara dengan ketenangan saya."
Ketika malam tiba, dia dibawa ke kandang kuda. Sang Beruang berusaha mencoba untuk meraihnya sekaligus memberinya sambutan hangat dengan cakarnya yang besar.
"Tenang, tenang," kata penjahit muda."Saya akan mengajarkan kamu untuk bisa menjadi tenang," seru si Penjahit Muda itu dengan tenang, menarik segenggam kenari dari sakunya dan mulai memecahkan kulitnya serta memakan isinya seolah-olah dia tidak peduli dengan keadaan sekitar.
Ketika sang Beruang melihat hal ini, dia juga ingin memakan kacang kenari. Si Penjahit Muda lalu memasukkan tangannya ke dalam sakunya dan memberikannya segenggam, tetapi yang diberikan adalah kerikil, bukan kacang.Beruang itu memasukkan kerikil tersebut ke dalam mulutnya, dan setelah berusaha keras dia tidak dapat memecahkannya.
"Astaga," pikir sang Beruang, "saya pasti bodoh sekali, bahkan kacang tidak bisa saya pecahkan kulitnya."
Lalu dia berkata kepada sang Penjahit Muda, "Bisakah kamu memecahkan kacang ini untuk saya?"
"Kamu sebenarnya baik," kata si Penjahit muda, "tetapi sayang, kamu memiliki rahang yang kuat tetapi tidak bisa memecahkan kenari!"
Lalu dia mengambil kerikil dari beruang, menukarnya dengan kacang, dan memecahkan serta membuka kulitnya dalam sekejap.
"Biar saya mencobanya lagi," kata sang Beruang itu. "Ketika saya melihat kamu dengan mudah memecahkannya, saya yakin saya dapat melakukannya sendiri."
Si Penjahit Muda memberikan beberapa kerikil kembali, dan si Beruang berusaha untuk menggigitnya dengan keras, tetapi sudah pasti beruang itu tidak mampu untuk memecahkannya.
Kemudian si Penjahit Muda mengambil biola kecilnya dan mulai bermain. Ketika sang Beruang mendengar suara musik, dia langsung menari dan berkata, "Apakah bermain musik itu sulit?"
"Gampang sekali," jawab si Penjahit Muda, "lihat di sini!Tekan senar dengan jari-jari tangan kiri, dan dengan tangan kanan, kamu menarik busur biola di antara senar-senarnya, atas dan ke bawah, tra la la la la."
"Oh," teriak sang beruang, "Saya berharap bisa bermain musik seperti itu, sehingga saya bisa menari setiap kali saya inginkan. Bagaimana menurut kamu?Apakah kamu bisa memberi saya beberapa pelajaran musik?"
"Dengan senang hati saya akan mengajarkan kamu," kata si Penjahit Muda."Nah, coba saya lihat telapakmu.Astaga, kukumu terlalu panjang, pertama kali, saya harus memotongnya."
Lalu dia mengambil sepasang pasungan kayu, dan sang Beruang meletakkan cakarnya pada pasungan itu. Penjahit Muda lalu menguncinya dengan kuat.
"Sekarang tunggu, saya akan mengambil gunting saya," katanya sambil meninggalkan sang Beruang yang meraung-raung, sementara si Penjahit Muda berbaring di sudut dan tertidur lelap.
Ketika sang Putri mendengar raungan sang Beruang yang begitu keras malam itu, dia memastikan bahwa dia tidak perlu lagi khawatir untuk melaksanakan janjinya untuk menikahi si Penjahit Muda. Keesokan paginya, sang Putri bangun dengan perasaan ceria, tetapi ketika dia mengunjungi kandang kuda, dilihatnya sang Penjahit Muda yang berdiri di depan pintu dalam keadaan segar bugar seperti ikan yang bergerak lincah di dalam air.
Setelah kejadian ini, sang Putri tidak bisa lagi mengelak dari janjinya. Karena itu Raja memerintahkan agar si Penjahit Muda itu dibawa ke aula istana untuk dinikahkan dengan putrinya.
Saat si Penjahit Muda dan sang Putri akan berangkat ke aula istana dengan mengendarai kereta, dua orang penjahit yang tadinya bersama-sama dengan si Penjahit Muda, menjadi iri hati dengan keberhasilan temannya tersebut. Mereka pun masuk ke dalam kandang kuda dan melepaskan sang Beruang dari pasungan. Saat sang Beruang terbebas, dia meraung keras dan mengejar kereta yang membawa sang Penjahit Muda dan sang Putri. Sang Putri yang mendengar dan melihat beruang ini mengejar kereta mereka, menjadi ketakutan.
"Beruang itu mengejar kita dan tidak lama lagi akan menangkap kita!" kata sang putri.
Sang Penjahit Muda tetap tenang, lalu dia berdiri di kereta sambil memandang ke arah sang Beruang dan berteriak, "Maukah kamu saya pasung sekali lagi? Jika kamu tidak pergi sekarang, saya akan memasung kamu kembali."
Ketika sang Beruang mendengarnya, dia lalu membalikkan badan dan berlari pulang sekencang mungkin. Sang Penjahit Muda melanjutkan perjalanannya ke aula istana dan menikah dengan sang Putri di sana. Akhirnya mereka berdua hidup bahagia selama-lamanya.
0 Response to "Penjahit yang Cerdik (Brothers Grimm)"
Post a Comment