Asbestos continues to claim victims in silence. This is the story of a man who worked a life in the murderous material and died shortly before their retirement. A late sentence arouses hope for those who are still waiting for justice
We can no longer tolerate that we will continue to die because of asbestos
Another employee was torn to life a few days before retirement, without seeing his social security rights. His history, cruel and unfortunately emblematically reminds himself strongly of the urgency of justice for thousands of silent victims. THE’asbestos Keep killing. And too often it does that in silence and indifference.
He died at the age of 64, a few days before he left his job for retirement, MC, a former factory worker Colgate Palmolive from Anzio. The suffering from lung and bronchopathy emphysema, pathologies related to long-term exposure to asbestos in the workplace. To rub it, a cardiovascular arrest.
The Court of Appeal of Rome accepted his appeal, presented before death. This was announced by the National Asbestos Observatory, which has been following the cases of victims that have been exposed to murderous fibers.
A ruling of great legal interest, but justice is still slow
«A ruling of great legal interest, unfortunately hidden by the disappearance of the employee who should have benefited from it – comments the lawyer Ezio Bonannipresident of theNational Asbestos Observatory -. The long procedural process and the resistance of Inps and Inail have delayed recognition that only comes after his death. Mc died, in all probability, because of the serious consequences of the exposure to asbestos ».
MC, who lived in Nettuno, started working in the factory in 1988. He held various roles: an employee who is responsible for maintenance, trolley player and, since 2010, maintenance in all production departments.
The Court of Velletri had initially denied the recognition of social security benefits, despite the medical-legal report, the connection between the disease and professional exposure had confirmed.
Now, the Court He destroyed the sentence. He acknowledged 14 years of certified exposure, from February 1988 to December 2002.
The INPs were convicted of crediting the corresponding contribution. A decision that, if it had arrived earlier, would have enabled the employee to be retired early with a more favorable economic performance.
An important step forward
The sentence, although it cannot bring life back to MC, represents an important step forward. It offers a concrete possibility of protection for other employees who are still alive.
«We again ask the full recovery of the infected sites -Contines the employee’s family lawyer -. We can no longer tolerate whether we will continue to die or get sick because of the partzia. Every inhaled fiber is a risk for life ».
Many of them, although survival, exist every day together with serious pathologies caused by asbestos, such as asbestosis and pleural tumors.
This statement opens a road. It is a precedent that those who struggle to recognize their rights after years of exposure and illness can help.
But the human and social drama remains: to die because of work, waiting for a righteousness that comes too late.
“Now the legal steps will be continued in favor of the widow, who can obtain an increase in pension, from around 500 to 800 euros per month, in addition to the income of reversibility and compensation for the damage suffered”Bonanni concludes.