Doubts Over James Hardie Pledge To Pay Asbestos Victims -- MesoLink.org -- 09-06-04

Mesothelioma sufferers are expressing skepticism over the pledge made by James Hardie, a leading building supplier, that all mesothelioma claims will be dealt with and paid.

James Hardie has received a great deal of coverage lately, most of it bad.

The company has a reputation for not honoring its responsibilities to asbestos victims. There were concerns that the company did not even have the funds to meet the many compensation claims lodged against it.

These claims come from victims that have been adversely affected through the use of products manufactured by James Hardie. These were products containing asbestos but were shipped without proper warnings regarding the hazards.

Recently, James Hardie admitted that there may be far more claims lodged against it than initially anticipated.

However, the company has pledged to deal with the claims and payout what is due to victims by way of setting up a ‘scheme’ that will first need to be approved by shareholders.

Asbestos sufferer, Bernie Banton, expressed his skepticism, stating:

"I was so overjoyed at first that I nearly swallowed my oxygen hose. But I'm all too aware the real definition is in the fine print."