British Pleural Plaque Sufferers to Receive Compensation
After a long fight, it seems that British citizens who suffer from the asbestos-caused condition known as pleural plaques may be receiving a lump sum compensation payment from the British government.
According to an article in the Chronicle, government ministers are attempting to seal a deal that would demand insurers pay up to £5,000 each to sufferers of the condition, which increases the risk of developing more serious asbestos-related diseases, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Hundreds of pleural plaque sufferers viewed the news with a sigh of relief. Bill Burnett, 69, who worked at the Swan Hunter shipyard, said: “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.”
“Anything that means people are compensated for injuries – especially when it’s for something like this that people knew nothing about – is good news for me,” added Maurice Lee, age 75, who was employed at another British shipyard.
Insurers, however, felt differently about the announcement. Stephen Haddrill, the Association of British Insurers director general, said: “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.”
