Asbestos death disputed by high court

2010-03-04 16:19:29 (GMT) (WiredPRNews.com - Mesothelioma Asbestos, News)

Mesothelioma Cancer News provides news and information for asbestos attorneys.

Australia (Mesothelioma Cancer News) – An Australia High Court is disputing claims that the death of a long-time smoker was caused by asbestos. As reported by News.com.au, the court ruled the long-time smoking habit of Paul Cotton was a more likely cause of his development of terminal cancer, which released the former employers of Cotton from liability in having to pay compensation for related damages. Cotton reportedly smoked for 26 years.

The High Court judges are quoted in the report as stating in the ruling, “Second, the risks and probabilities associated with asbestos, whether alone or in conjunction with smoking, are low and not sufficient to found the inference which the plaintiff sought to have made: that it is more probable than not that exposure to respirable asbestos fibres was a cause of Mr. Cotton’s cancer.”