France asbestos compensation remains a challenge 30 years after ban

Nearly thirty years after asbestos was banned in France in 1997, providing compensation to victims remains a significant challenge. The asbestos-related diseases are currently the leading cause of work-related deaths, excluding accidents. Between one and two million workers were potentially exposed during maintenance or construction activities, with approximately 900,000 in the building sector.

The Fonds d’indemnisation des victimes de l’amiante (FIVA) has received over 117,000 claims since its establishment in 2001, with 2,745 applications filed last year. The fund has allocated nearly 8 billion euros to victims and their families, maintaining an 85% acceptance rate.

Due to the long latency period of 20 to 40 years between exposure and illness, many victims may pass away before seeking redress. To combat this, the fund is implementing an “aller-vers” (outreach) approach, funded by the Social Security system, to proactively contact individuals and help them access their rights.