Pleural plaques sufferers compensation success in Northern Ireland
Published: 11:32AM BST 12 Jan 2012
a stressful time
but we can help"
Sara Hunt, Partner
The Bill had been put on hold as a result of insurers challenging similar legislation in Scotland.
In October 2011 the challenge was defeated at the UK Supreme Court, and pleural plaques sufferers in Scotland had their right to claim compensation reinstated.
Sadly, the position for pleural plaques victims in England and Wales remains unchanged, since the House of Lords ruled in October 2007 that compensation would no longer be available for anyone who has contracted the asbestos related condition in the UK.
Although the UK Government did open a limited compensation scheme for anyone who had started a claim prior to October 2007, that scheme has now closed.
Pleural plaques is scarring to the lungs caused as a result of asbestos exposure. Although having pleural plaques doesn't cause a person to have symptoms, it's evidence that they've been exposed to asbestos.
As a result of that exposure, they'll be at risk of developing a more serious asbestos related illness, such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis or pleural thickening.
Compensation for these illnesses can still be claimed.
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