Asbestosis, Other Illness Claims Slow For P&I Clubs
By Lisa S. Howard
International Editor
London
The threat of industrial illnesses on shipowner members of marine protection and indemnity clubs appears to be diminishing, according to a report issued by Marsh in London.
"After the initial flood of asbestosis writs, it seemed likely that industrial diseases claims would grow exponentially," said the Marsh report, noting, however, that that does not appear to be the case.
Asbestosis claims lodged against shipowners are "progressing at their slowest pace since the mid-1990s and it is estimated that by 2010 (allowing for a 30-year incubation period for mesothelioma) new claims will no longer appear," said the Marsh report, entitled "P&I Review 2002." The report was published in late January.
Further, the report said, although many feared mass litigation related to benzene claims, industrial deafness, Vibration White Finger, and probably fatigue or stress claims, nothing on the expected scale of claims has yet materialized. (Vibration White Finger is a condition that may affect workers who use vibrating tools and equipment, which causes the fingers to turn white.)
"Fortunately, for whatever reason, common sense seems to have prevailed in respect of industrial illnessfor the time being at least," the report said.
While the trend in P&I claims appears to be relatively positive, Marsh said, there are a number of dark clouds on the horizon, related to legislation that may increase exposure to shipowners.
Marsh said that much depends on the outcome of "a diplomatic conference that will in all likelihood set in motion a legal process that will greatly increase the exposure of the P&I clubs and their members to passenger claims" from cruise and ferry vessels.
Reproduced from National Underwriter Edition, March 3, 2003. Copyright 2003 by The National Underwriter Company in the serial publication. All rights reserved.Copyright in this article as an independent work may be held by the author.
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