Government dithering is heartbreak for pleural plaques victims
A Barnsley campaigner for people with the asbestos-related condition pleural plaques has condemned the government for the latest in a series of delays in making a decision about compensation.
Carol Gill, head of Barnsley-based Raleys Solicitors, and a leading national specialist in the law relating to industrial diseases, said: “This continued government dithering is absolutely heartbreaking for the victims of pleural plaques.”
Despite promises that the government would make a ruling before parliament’s summer recess on Tuesday 21 July, Justice Minister Jack Straw told MPs on the last day of House of Commons session that further consideration would have to be given to new expert reports on the issues relating to pleural plaques and no decision would now be announced until October.
“This is infuriating for thousands of people throughout England and Wales who have been diagnosed with pleural plaques, because the Scottish Parliament decided in March this year to change the law to allow for compensation payments, and we understand that the Northern Ireland Assembly has indicated it will follow suit,” said Carol Gill. “It will be ludicrously unfair if the same does not apply in England and Wales.”
Pleural plaques are areas of scarring on the lining of the lungs caused by asbestos. It is it is estimated that up to half of all people exposed to asbestos during their working lives will develop pleural plaques at some stage. Often pleural plaques do not cause symptoms but studies have shown that they do indicate an increased risk of later developing an asbestos-related disease.
“Anyone diagnosed with pleural plaques understandably experiences fear and anxiety for what may happen in the future,” said Carol Gill. “This used to be recognised by the courts, which could award damages of up to £15,000. But then a challenge by insurance companies was successful in the Court of Appeal in 2006 and the decision upheld by the House of Lords in 2007.
“Since then we have been campaigning to persuade the government to change the law and reinstate compensation.” Carol Gill has joined forces with Mick Clapham, MP for Barnsley West and Penistone, and representatives of the construction workers’ union UCATT to campaign for a change in the law.
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Issued on behalf of Raleys Solicitors, www.raleys.co.uk, by Nexnet PR, 8 York Place, Leeds, LS1 2DS, www.nexnet.co.uk. For further information call Nexnet on 0113 247 0029 or email paul.newham@nexnet.co.uk or joel.turner@nexnet.co.uk or joanne.mead@nexnet.co.uk.
