Asbestos Package doesn’t go far enough

I read with interest in the Independent on Sunday that the Government is to present a £70m package of help for asbestos victims to trade unions this week. The proposals include setting up a research centre into asbestos-linked diseases; insisting insurers fund compensation for dying victims unable to rely on their employers' insurance; and more money for sufferers of the deadly asbestos cancer mesothelioma.  Readers of my blog will know that I support all of these proposals and have written about them in the past.  The problem is what’s missing from the proposals as the Government still hasn’t confirmed whether or not it intends to reinstate pleural plaques as a compensatable condition again as it now is in Scotland.

The paper quotes Tony Whitston, of the Asbestos Support Groups' Forum, as saying: "Lots of this is really good: establishing a fund of last resort will make a huge difference to people who are dying. And a research centre is also something we've been calling for for some time."

Some union officials are critical of the lack of action on pleural plaques including Jimmy Parrish, the GMB union branch chairman for Barking who the paper quotes:

"It's just no good for us at all," he said. "Now we won't get any money until we're dying, and it leaves us in the position that the English don't have the same rights as the Scottish."

I along with others, have long suspected cost concerns are behind the indecision of the government and the paper reports that Mr Straw is understood to have said that overturning the pleural plaque ruling would be too costly, with the Government already facing liabilities of up to £600m because so many public sector workers were exposed to asbestos in previously nationalised industries and in the Armed Forces.

Many including myself think the Government has capitulated to the powerful insurance lobby who are set to save millions if pleural plaques continue to be non-compensatable.  Finally the paper quotes Andrew Dismore MP, who tabled two bills to overturn the pleural plaques ruling: "If you've got pleural plaques, there's nothing in this package for you. What's on offer is not chicken feed, but it will mean there are lots of people who will not get the compensation they deserve."

The package if it does come into force is certainly a great start but is not enough.  Justice will not be done until all victims of asbestos related diseases, including those with pleural plaques are allowed to claim the compensation they deserve.

If you or a member of your family has been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, call our specialist asbestos solicitors on 0800 0384 384 during business hours and a specialist asbestos lawyer can review your compensation claim for free while you are on the phone.