Verdicts Down in the Down Under

I know that the US dollar isn't doing so hot right now, but a $200K (Australian) verdict in Australia for a living mesothelioma ship carpenter seems a bit small to this Yankee. Of course, it's only a worker's compensation claim but it's barely enough to cover his legal costs. And, his employer offered to settle for $180K (Australian). It's just a different world down there.

$197,287 – the state's first asbestos payout