Three applicants, who were all current or former prostitutes, challenged the constitutionality of three provisions of the Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985. The three provisions outlawed “bawdy-houses” (also referred to as brothels), “living on the avails” (living off of a prostitutes profits), and public communication with prostitutes. Prostitution was legal in Canada, however, Parliament was allowed …Read more

The applicants were five Norwegian nationals, a Swedish national and an Icelandic national. The applicants developed health problems such as obstructive lung diseases and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and became disabled. This had happened as a result of their deep diving jobs. They alleged that the working conditions and compromising safety had lead to …Read more

The appellant claimed to have been infected by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) which the appellant received during his duties as dissection technician in the Forensic Anatomical Institute in Barcelona. He was diagnosed on July 4, 1997, took sick leave in August 19, 1999, and lodged a claim for financial liability of EUR 600,000, along …Read more

Mr Mankayi brought an action for delictual (tort) damages against AngloGold Ashanti Limited (AngloGold). While working as an underground mineworker between January 1979 and September 1995, Mr Mankayi claimed to have been exposed to harmful dusts and gases that led to his contracting tuberculosis and a chronic obstructive airway condition; these ailments rendered him unable …Read more

The plaintiff, Agenor Pereira Dias Filho, filed an action against the National Congress before the Federal Supreme Court of Brazil, asking the Court to have §4 of article 40 of the Federal Constitution regulated. The plaintiff claimed that the nature of his work as nursing assistant subjected him to unhealthy working conditions and entitled him …Read more

Jean Smith brought an action for damages against her employee, Northamptonshire Council, under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, for injuries she suffered in her employment. Ms. Smith was employed by the council as a driver and a carer. Her duties included picking up Mrs. Cotter, who was confined to a wheelchair, …Read more

The Plaintiffs, parents of a worker who died in a fire at his workplace, sued their son´s employer for damages. They alleged that the employer had not implemented appropriate measures to deal with situations of emergency such as the fire that caused their son’s death. The lower court accepted the claim of the Plaintiffs, awarding …Read more

The Federal Prosecutor’s Office filed an extraordinary appeal against the decision of the First Region Federal Court, which ruled that crimes against employees amounting to conditions analogous to slavery (crime against the organization of work), exposure to risk of life and health of such workers, the frustration of their labor rights and omission of data …Read more

Appellant alleged she suffered a work-related injury resulting from her exposure to the toxic chemical Cyclohexanone causing dysphonia which left her virtually unable to speak for nine months and unable to work. Banco de Seguros del Estado (state insurance company) reviewed her case and found that she was not suffering from an occupational health disease …Read more