Supreme Court orders Zaragoza City Council to pay asbestos indemnity

The Supreme Court has confirmed that the Zaragoza City Council must pay an indemnity of 214,594 euros to the two children of a municipal plumber who died due to prolonged asbestos exposure. The ruling establishes the municipal administration's patrimonial liability for failing to implement necessary safety measures.

The legal dispute began in 2019 after the worker's children challenged a decision by the City Council that had rejected their claim for damages. While an initial 2022 ruling ordered a higher payment of 286,126 euros, subsequent appeals led to reductions. The High Court of Justice of Aragon had previously reduced the amount by 25% due to the influence of smoking on the progression of the disease and sought to subtract social security benefits to avoid double compensation.

The Supreme Court's final decision settles the amount at 214,594 euros, to be split equally between the two children, plus legal interest. The court also absolved the insurance company of liability, designating the Zaragoza City Council as the sole entity responsible for the payment.