This court ruling may be of use in obtaining a full or partial disability pension for occupational disease (even if the onset occurs after employment has ended) from the governing Workers Compensation Board (or whatever the body in your area is called).
In some boards, extra assessments against employers incurring higher payouts can be levied
While many courts have time limitations for civil suits, compensation boards usually do not. So if you can't sue, go to your compensation board, preferably in a group with the other affectees and a smart advocate.
Many boards are a little bit disfunctional. In which case you will find that there are a number of advocates who know how to make a claim stick.