Australian Man Launches Cross-Continental Asbestos Suit

September 27, 2006 - An 81-year-old man from Queensland, Australia is suing companies in both England and Australia in regards to his developing an asbestos-related disease.

Ronald Roberts, who spent 50 years as a pipe fitter, was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma and is expected to die before the Christmas holidays because of the advanced stage of his disease.

Attorneys for Mr. Roberts note that this is a ground-breaking case because it involves four companies spread over two continents concerning employment that reaches back to the 1940s, according to an account in the Courier-Mail.

The legal team notes, however, that the difficult parts of the suit comes from the fact that some of these companies are no longer in business or have merged with other companies. According to the attorneys, for example, in one case an insurance company is being sued directly because one of the companies – located in Victoria (Australia) – no longer exists.

Roger Singh, one of Mr. Roberts’ solicitors (lawyers) believes that if the case were successful, it would prove that company mergers and acquisitions did not absolve big business from its responsibilities to former staff.

"These companies can run but they can't hide and shirk their responsibilities," Mr. Singh said. "We say these employers knew or ought to have known about the hazards of asbestos in his workplace."

Mr. Roberts just wants to see justice served. "I'm in my 80s, so it's not about the money for me – these companies should be brought to terms for what has happened," Mr. Roberts stressed. "I'm pretty lucky, I've had a fair innings but you have these other guys who are 40 . . . people should be aware of what is happening.”