On November 22, 2007, the Court of Appeal upheld a County Court's judgment in the case of Cox-v- Rolls Royce Industrial Power (India) Ltd. The 3 appeal court judges agreed that International Combustion breached its duty of care to the mesothelioma victim, a welder who died in 2002. International Combustion fitted many boilers in power stations in the 1960's and 1970's throughout the world including the UK. They were one of 3 major boiler makers in the UK and heavily involved with the refurbishment of old boilers and with the supply, erection and commissioning of their standard types of boilers at new power stations. The court decided that the Company had knowledge that even short or transient exposure to asbestos in 1966 was negligent. The judgment can be found at:

http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2007/1189.html

It makes interesting reading.

Ruth Davies

John Pickering and Partners LLP
20 Clare Road
Halifax
HX1 2HX

Tele: 01422 345535
Fax: 01422 438500
Email: rd@johnpickering.co.uk