[Use of occupational disease benefits]

Persons with pleuramesothelioma were studied to find out the share receiving occupational injury benefit from the National Insurance Scheme. This disease, caused by inhaling asbestos, was chosen because it has been estimated that between 70 and 80 per cent of persons with pleuramesothelioma fulfil the criteria for compensation. During the period 1970-93, 662 men and 104 women were recorded as having this disease. Up to June 1996, the National Insurance Administration had considered the cases of only 163 men, and no women. A further 25-30 patients may have filed claims with the local national insurance office. This implies that, overall, maximum one third of those entitled to occupational injury benefit have received it. The fraction would probably be even lower in the case of diseases where the association with occupation is less certain. It is recommended that national disease registries, such as the Cancer Registry, should report possible cases of occupational disease to the National Insurance Administration.