ALMOST 20 YEARS AFTER ALMOST 20 YEARS, THE COURT OF APPEAL OF ROME RECOGNIZES THE RIGHTS OF ELEVEN FORMER EMPLOYEES OF THE “POSILLIPO” PLANT IN SABAUDIA EXPOSED TO ASBESTOS. INPS CONDEMNED TO INCREASE THE PENSION OF THE APPLICANTS
«Fortunately, the Supreme Court annulled the ruling of the Court of Appeal of Rome, ordering a new review, now the workers, and for those who died their heirs, will have their pensions revalued, with increased accruals».
So does the lawyer Ezio Bonanni, president ofNational Asbestos Observatorycomments on the sentence of Court of Appeal of Romeregarding the appeal of eleven former workers of the Posillipo plant exposed to asbestos.
The appeal to the Court of Cassation by the lawyer. Bonanni
Almost 20 years later, the Court of Appeal of Rome recognized the rights of the eleven former employees of the Sabaudia plant exposed to asbestos – most of whom have now died due to pathologies caused by exposure to the carcinogen – who they have, thus, obtained the contribution increaseas required by law.
Such long recognition times were caused by the adverse sentences of the Court of Latina and the Court of Appeal of Rome. Thanks to what was supported by the lawyer. Bonanni, who assisted the workers still alive and the families of the deceased, the Court of Cassation annulled the previous decision and sent the documents back to the Court of Appeal, as also supported by the National Asbestos Observatory.
We are faced with a «classic example of Italian justice which, albeit slowly, then reaches its goal», concludes Bonanni.
The decision of the Court of Appeal of Rome
Based on the decision of the Court of Appeal of Rome, therefore, each of the appellants is entitled to a monthly pension with an increase of 400 euros. For widows, however, an increase of 250 euros on the reversibility pension.
The court’s decision will also affect arrears. In fact, each worker will be entitled to around 100 thousand euros. For widows, the amount paid will be reduced to between 60 and 70 thousand euros.
They worked in confined and unventilated environments without the necessary protection
The eleven workers, mostly from Terracina and Monte San Biagio, worked in the “Posillipo” shipyard in Sabaudia which was responsible for the construction of medium-sized glass resin boats.
L’asbestos it was used to pad the gap between the shell and the gates, to cover the bulkheads of the engine room and the engine and tank compartments. Therefore to insulate the engine area, or as fire door panels and to cover mufflers and other engine parts.
The gaskets also contained asbestos. The pieces of this material were stored in the warehouse and then cut directly into the vessels, in confined spaces and without ventilation.
To all this we must add the asbestos roofing of the warehouses which have deteriorated over the years and have released the fibre killer in the working environment.