Italy's Ministry of Defence appeals asbestos compensation ruling

The Italian Ministry of Defence has appealed a ruling by the Court of Rome that held the ministry responsible for the death of a Navy non-commissioned officer due to asbestos exposure. The deceased, an electrician who served for nearly 19 years, died in October 2020 from malignant pleural mesothelioma.

During his career, the individual worked on various naval units and at facilities such as Mariscuole and Marispedal. The court found that his duties involved the maintenance of electrical systems in environments where he was repeatedly exposed to asbestos fibers. The ruling noted a lack of evidence regarding the implementation of adequate protective measures to shield personnel from such risks.

The court ordered a total compensation of over 860,000 euros to be paid to the man’s wife and two children. While the victim had been recognized as a victim of duty in 2018, the Ministry has moved to contest the recent compensation decision.