Thousands of Asbestos Victims to Receive Compensation Ranging from €32,000 to €96,000

The Council of Ministers today approved the procedure that will allow thousands of Spaniards who have developed severe illnesses due to years of asbestos exposure to begin receiving compensation. The royal decree, which comes three years after the law established the fund entitling these compensations, will come into effect in three months.

This regulation states that individuals accredited as beneficiaries, or their heirs, will receive a one-time payment ranging from €32,207 to €96,621, depending on the severity of the disease caused by this toxic product, typically due to prolonged occupational exposure, but sometimes also due to inhalation at home or through environmental contamination.

Beneficiaries will include those with a recognised permanent disability pension due to asbestos-related occupational disease, those entitled to judicial compensation who have not received it in full, and those not in the previous categories but diagnosed with three types of cancers (mesothelioma, lung, or laryngeal) or asbestosis with moderate or severe functional impact caused by the toxic minerals.

Candidates for the aid must obtain a certificate of diagnosis for the aforementioned conditions from their health departments, after which they can apply for compensation from the Treasury of the National Institute of Social Security. If they do not receive a response within six months, it will be considered denied.

The amount is based on the annual average of the permanent disability pension, which will be multiplied according to the disease. Asbestosis entitles a payment of €32,207; laryngeal cancer €48,310; lung cancer €64,414; and mesothelioma €96,621. If multiple conditions are suffered, compensation will be awarded for the most severe.