Compensation of pleural mesothelioma in France: Data from the French National Mesothelioma Surveillance Programme

• Published in: American journal of industrial medicine Vol. 56; no. 2; pp. 146 - 154
• Main Authors: Chamming's, Soizick, Clin, Bénédicte, Brochard, Patrick, Astoul, Philippe, Ducamp, Stéphane, Galateau-Salle, Fançoise, Ilg, Annabelle Gilg Soit, Goldberg, Marcel, Gramond, Céline, Imbernon, Ellen, Rolland, Patrick, Pairon, Jean-Claude
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.02.2013; Wiley-Liss; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Air Pollutants - toxicity; Asbestos - toxicity; Biological and medical sciences; Compensation and Redress; Environmental Exposure - adverse effects; Environmental Exposure - economics; Female; France; Humans; Male; medical compensation; Medical sciences; Mesothelioma - economics; Mesothelioma - etiology; Middle Aged; Miscellaneous; National Health Programs - economics; National Health Programs - statistics & numerical data; occupational disease; Occupational Diseases - economics; Occupational Diseases - etiology; Occupational medicine; pleural mesothelioma; Pleural Neoplasms - economics; Pleural Neoplasms - etiology; Population Surveillance; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Workers' Compensation - statistics & numerical data; France; Europe; Human; Sanitary program; medical compensation; Occupational disease; Indemnity; pleural mesothelioma; Mesothelioma; Occupational exposure; Indemnization; Compensation; Tumor; Sanitary surveillance; Occupational medicine; Pleura
• ISSN: 0271-3586; 1097-0274
• DOI: 10.1002/ajim.22106

Background The aim of this study was to determine the rates of compensation awarded to patients presenting with pleural mesothelioma and factors linked to such compensation in France. Methods The study population consisted of 2,407 patients presenting with pleural mesothelioma, recorded by the National Mesothelioma Surveillance Programme between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2009. Analysis of claims for recognition as “occupational disease” (OD) and claims for compensation by the Compensation Fund for Asbestos Victims (FIVA) were analyzed. Results Approximately 30% of subjects presenting with pleural mesothelioma, affiliated to the General National Health Insurance fund, neither sought recognition as an OD nor claimed for FIVA compensation. Gender, age at diagnosis, type of health insurance, and socio‐professional category influence the likelihood of patients presenting with mesothelioma seeking compensation for this disease. Conclusions Results show an under‐compensation of pleural mesothelioma as OD and by the FIVA in France. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:146–154, 2013. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.