by Bob Ruers – Member of the Dutch Senate and asbestos victims’ lawyer

Klaas Jasperse, a former employee who is suffering from asbestos-related cancer (mesothelioma), has brought a claim against the Dutch State for damages.

Mr Jasperse worked in an aluminium factory in Vlissingen for more than 30 years, where he was exposed to asbestos between 1977 in 1984 on almost a daily basis. As a result, he was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2009. His employer, the Pechiney aluminium factory, had failed to warn him against the dangers of asbestos and had not provided him with any protective equipment or clothing. Mr Jasperse brought a claim against his employer, but the company became insolvent. As a result, Mr Jasperse did not receive his wages and received state benefits instead, which were much lower than his previous income. Read more

Courtesy: IBAS