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Asbestos news
26/03/2008
Pleural plaques boost in Commons
People in England who suffer from the asbestos-related illness pleural plaques may soon be able to claim compensation after government ministers appeared to be on the verge of brokering a deal that would see sufferers of the condition compensated with single lump sum payments of £5,000.
This move would resolve the anomaly that currently exists between the way Scottish and English law treat asbestos compensation claims for the condition, something which came about after the House of Lords ruled it to be a "benign condition" carrying "no symptoms". Yet, under pressure from unions, lobbyists and MPs, PM Gordon Brown has indicated that he is "determined to take some action".
News of the proposed move was greeted with unanimous approval by English pleural plaques sufferers, with one saying, "This is good news for all of the pleural plaques sufferers – of which there are many.
"It wasn't just the ship workers who have suffered, there are loads of people who worked in factories who have it as well. So this ruling is good news for all concerned.
"It has taken a long while but any kind of announcement like this is good news for people who are suffering from the condition."
There is some concern that the move could meet resistance from the Association of British Insurers, who could seek to block claims made by sufferers and their no win, no fee lawyers.
The director-general of the ABI commented, "The insurance industry is fully committed to paying compensation to claimants who suffer from mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
"The House of Lords has unanimously upheld the Court of Appeal ruling that pleural plaques are not compensable because they have no effect on health or ability to work, produce no symptoms and do not cause other asbestos-related diseases."
Yet it seems there may be a significant change in the government's position on compensating sufferers of the condition. Gordon Brown recently told the House of Commons, "On pleural plaques, we are looking at the matter at this very moment. We will publish a consultation document soon. We are determined to take some action."
