Australian Mine Worker Reaches Settlement

November 1, 2006 - Attorneys for a former Australian mine worker who claims he suffered from mental illness due to his fear of contracting and dying from mesothelioma has reached an out-of-court agreement with the owners of the mine.

The Asbestos Diseases Society says the case between a former Wittenoom mine worker and the companies that operated the Western Australian asbestos mine has been settled amicably. 

In October 2004, reports ABC News Australia, Western Australia's Court of Appeal found that long-time mineworker Arturo Della Maddalena had developed a psychiatric disorder resulting from his fear of dying of asbestos-related cancer and should be compensated.

Earlier this year, however, the High Court allowed an appeal by Australian company CSR and its subsidiary Midalco and ordered that the case be re-tried. However, a settlement, it is reported, has now been reached between the parties, though the defendants have not admitted to any liability in the case.