Potential Disappointment for Pleural Plaque Sufferers

Further to my most recent blog on this there are further rumours that the government is set to announce any day that victims of asbestos cancer mesothelioma where insurers cannot be traced will be compensated by a "fund of last resort" a bit like the Motor Insurers Bureau which compensates road traffic accident victims where the driver who hit them is untraceable or uninsured. 

It is also expected that the package will include a research centre into asbestos-linked diseases and more money for victims of the deadly cancer mesothelioma, unions have been told according to the Liverpool Daily Post.

The potential big disappointment though for sufferers of pleural plaques is that rumours have it that Justice Secretary Jack Straw will confirm that future sufferers from “pleural plaques” will be unable to win compensation with only the existing 6,500 sufferers receiving "no fault" pay-outs – and only of up to £5,000. This is a travesty of justice and very disappointing as in Scotland sufferers can now claim compensation again following a change in the law.  English sufferers can quite rightly ask why they should be treated any differently from Scottish sufferers of pleural plaques.  I also think it is disgraceful that apparently these no fault payouts will be funded by the taxpayer, rather than insurance companies.  In my view the insurance industry should foot the bill given that they are set to save millions of pounds if future sufferers of pleural plaques cannot claim compensation.

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.