/ 7 August 2006

Trust pays out R91m to asbestosis claimants

The Asbestos Relief Trust, set up to compensate asbestosis claimants, paid out more than R91-million in 1 378 claims in the past two years.

Trust chairperson John Doidge said in his report on Monday: ”The manager’s report shows that to date we have been able to compensate 1 378 people suffering with an asbestos related disease. The amount paid to these people is R91 371 598.”

The average payment per claim was R68 000.

Since the first claim was received in March 2004, the trust had worked closely with accredited claims handlers and set up offices in Johannesburg, Kuruman and Mpumalanga, to ensure claims were processed speedily.

The trust was established by Gencor after extensive litigation was brought against the company.

It provides compensation to ex-miners, or people living in mining areas, who suffer from an asbestos-related disease, as well as the families of people who have died due to asbestos exposure.

In order to qualify for compensation, the claimant must have been employed by one of the qualifying operations during certain qualifying times when the mines were owned by Gencor, Gefco or Msauli.

Doidge said the highest payments to beneficiaries were made in the past 12 months with the trust paying out R49 976 510 to more than 600 claimants. – Sapa