IOC studying court decision on worker's cancer claim

The Iron Ore Company of Canada is still deciding whether to appeal a Newfoundland Supreme Court decision that backed up a worker's cancer-related compensation claim.

Frank Hammond, a Labrador City resident who worked at IOC for 45 years, prevailed when Justice Derek Green on Monday dismissed IOC's arguments that Hammond is not eligible for workers compensation benefits.

Hammond, whose kidney-related cancer is now in remission, had fought through the workers' compensation system for benefits, with IOC ultimately taking the matter to court.

"We are concerned about the decision and — more important — the belief that any part of our operation may contribute [or] cause cancer to an employee," said Michel Filion, director of communications for IOC.

Filion said cancer can affect anyone, not just mine workers.

The United Steelworkers union has described Green's decision as precedent-setting for workers with industrial disease.