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Disease compensation claims ruled out

Dave Appleton
18/10/2007

ROCHDALE workers suffering from an asbestos-related disease will not be able to claim compensation, the Law Lords have ruled.

Lawyers were working on several Rochdale cases prior to the decision, which removes an established right to compensation for pleural plaques, a scarring of the lungs.

For many years the town was home to the world's largest asbestos works, Turner Brothers, and many inquests over the years have ended with verdicts of death by industrial disease as a result of prolonged exposure to asbestos.

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen said he was ‘shocked and saddened’ by the decision. He said had asked the Minister for Work and Pensions, Lord McKenzie, if he was willing to meet a cross party delegation to discuss ‘a way forward’.

Mr Rowen said: “I am hopeful that following the governmkent's earlier dtermination to deal with mesothelioma, a similar solution can be developed in the case of pleural plaques.”

Gill Owen, head of the asbestos team at Thompsons Solicitors, which has represented many Rochdale families in asbestos cases, said she was shocked an disappointed by the Law Lords' decision which, she said, would deny compensation to thousands of people in the north west.

“This decision represents another blow to asbestos victims who, only last year, were denioed compensation by the law lords for another asbestos-related condition, mesothelioma.

“Thankfully, Parliament overturned that decision and I would encourage MPs of all parties to overturn this decision.”

Tony Wilson, chairman of the Asbestos Victims' Support Group Forum UK, said: “The decision by the Law Lords to end compensation for pleural plaques is yet another attack on compensation to asbestos victims for asbestos disease.

“This is a disease which affects working class people who were wrongly exposed to asbestos. It is all too easy for those who have never risked their lives in industry to dismiss the suffering of so many who did.

“This judgement gives solace to rich insurance companies and leaves asbestos victims uncompensated.”

The case dates back to November 2004 when 10 men went to court seeking compensation from insurance companies which wanted to stop the payments. Since then it went on to the High Court and then the Court of Appeal before finally reaching the Law Lords.

  • Pleural plaques are areas of thick scar tissue which form in the chest lining and diaphragm and are caused by exposure to asbestos. Over time, the thickening of the pleural membrane, which lines the lungs, can make breathing difficult and, in some cases be accompanied by the development of serious respiratory diseases, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

    • | Submit CommentSubmit Comments | View CommentsView Comments(1)


    Most recent 1 of 1 user comments

       I bet that South African running around with TB gets compensation. Afer all he has probably never contributed to the health service unlike these asbesdos victims.
    mandy40
    18/10/2007 at 22:37
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