Italy's Ministry of Defence ordered to pay asbestos compensation

The Court of Lecce has issued a final ruling ordering the Italian Ministry of Defence to pay €692,247 in compensation to the three children of a former worker. The deceased, a resident of Monteiasi, worked for over forty years as a civilian employee for the Italian Navy at the Taranto Military Arsenal.

The worker died in May 2019 from widespread and inoperable pleural mesothelioma. A technical expert confirmed a causal link between the disease and professional exposure to asbestos fibers during his decades of service, which included roles as a typographer and administrative staff. The ruling, which is now final, also requires the Ministry to cover legal expenses and technical consultancy costs.