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Japanese National Railways (JNR) Settlement Headquarters recognized seventy-seven former JNR workers suffering from asbestos-related diseases as eligible for compensation. However, 48 of them have already passed away.
Another sixty-five former JNR employees have applied for recognition as mesothelioma victims. Malignant tumor of the mesothelium caused by exposure to asbestos fibers. Symptoms of this incurable disease are persistent coughing or coughing of blood, chest or abdomen pain, fatigue, and weight loss. It may take decades to develop the deadly cancer however, it kills more than half of its victims within seven months after diagnosis.
JNR Settlement Headquarters is the entity that decides if a former employee is eligible for compensation as per JNR relief program. Under the program, the former employees will receive compensation for income lost during sick leave if they have paid for their medical treatment.
If a victim dies, the money for covering funeral and other specified costs will be given to the family. Those who wish to receive the compensation must apply to the settlement entity in order to get certified as having an asbestos-related illness.
JNR used large amounts of asbestos in its locomotives and other areas during the 1960s and 70s.
It was in 2004 that two former JNR employees who died from mesothelioma were recognized for compensation for the first time. Then the number of recognized victims increased. 18 were identified in 2005, 41 in 2006. 16 has been recognized so far in this year.
The entity has asked former workers to undergo health checks so that those who are diagnosed with the diseases can apply for official recognition.
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