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Causation in low-dose asbestos claims (Johnstone v Fawcett’s Garage)

Published on: 06 May 2025

Table of contents

  • What are the practical implications of this case?
  • What was the background?
  • What did the court decide?
  • Case details

Article summary

PI & Clinical Negligence analysis: This was an appeal against the dismissal of a fatal mesothelioma claim where the deceased person had been exposed only to a very low dose of asbestos by the defendant. The issue at trial was whether the defendant’s negligence had materially increased the risk of the deceased person contracting mesothelioma. The parties disagreed on how the court should approach calculating the increase in risk. The Court of Appeal concluded that the approach adopted by the trial judge was not wrong on the basis of the expert evidence available at trial. Accordingly, the appeal was dismissed. In dismissing the appeal, the court provides very important guidance on the issue of causation in low dose mesothelioma claims. Written by Peter Hale, barrister, 12 King’s Bench Walk.

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