Asbestos: Law & Litigation

Asbestos: Law & Litigation is the first comprehensive guide to claims for asbestos-related injury in the UK. It has been written by experienced practitioners involved in many of the leading cases on the subject. The scope of the book is wide-ranging; from the development of knowledge, to the law of damages, with all of the legal and practical issues in between. Key features include: Cutting-edge analysis of the medical aspects of asbestos-related conditions by leading experts Dr John Moore-Gillon and Dr Robin Rudd A history of asbestos and its uses In-depth analysis of the common law and statutory routes to liability in asbestos disease claims of all kinds An explanation of the complex insurance and reinsurance issues that arise in the context of cover for asbestos-related illness Guidance on the damages recoverable in civil actions and on the technicalities of applications for payments under the DMPS and other statutory schemes Practical advice on the specific procedural issues that arise in asbestos disease claims and inquests Key case law discussed: Steve Hill Ltd v Witham, Head v Culver Heating Co Ltd and Rix v Paramount Shopfitting Company Ltd: a recent trilogy of Court of Appeal judgments which clarified the proper approach to the assessment of losses in asbestos disease claims Bussey v Anglia Heating Ltd: a key Court of Appeal decision concerning the correct approach to foreseeable risks in tort law and the impact and relevance of important technical guidance documents in asbestos claims. HMG3 LTD v Dunn: bespoke High Court guidance on the court’s approach to the exercise of its discretion to disapply the primary limitation period in cases involving claims for fatal asbestos disease. Heneghan v Manchester Dry Docks Ltd: a significant Court of Appeal decision importing the Fairchild rule into asbestos lung cancer claims and also applying the “doubles the risk” test to causation based on epidemiological evidence. Chandler v Cape Plc: a groundbreaking decision (recently re-affirmed by the Supreme Court) and the first case in which the Court of Appeal confirmed that a parent company could owe a direct duty of care to an employee who had been exposed to asbestos by one of its subsidiaries. McDonald v National Grid Electricity: a landmark decision from the Supreme Court concerning the scope of the Asbestos Industry Regulations 1931. DP v Topmark Claims Management Ltd: the first reported decision concerning the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme 2014, which answers a number of questions concerning its requirements. Key Legislation Includes: Third Parties (Rights against Insurers) Act 1930 and 2010 Asbestos Industry Regulations 1931 Factories Act 1937 and 1961 Asbestos Regulations 1969 Limitation Act 1980 Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987 and 2002 Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and 2012