Personal injury advice from
Thompsons Solicitors
House of Lords Decision a Blow to Victims of Asbestos Related Disease
3rd May 2006
A ruling made by the House of Lords this week could be devastating to many people affected by the industrial illness mesothelioma.
Thousands of claimants and their families could now expect to receive a much reduced amount of personal injury compensation, as it was announced today that the employers of two mesothelioma victims had won their appeal.
Insurers to Benefit From Loss of Industrial Disease Sufferers
In 2002, an attempt was made by insurers to end compensation for mesothelioma. This failed, however the new appeal challenged their entitlement to full damages when there is more than one negligent employer and at least one of those is either no longer in existence or without traceable insurance.
As this appeal was successful, some victims of this deadly, asbestos related cancer and their families will no longer be able to recover the full compensation to which they should be entitled. As a result, the insurance industry will be several million pounds better off each year.
Thompsons Solicitors, lawyers for The Legal Line, represented the widow of one of the men, Mrs Murray. She commented: “I’ve had 7 years of misery since John died a painful death from this terrible disease. Employers and insurance companies care more about the money than they do about being fair to people like me and my husband who suffered so much. John didn’t want to die and he certainly didn’t want his employers who killed him to avoid their legal responsibility. Justice hasn’t been done”.
Asbestos Claim Advice
Asbestos related diseases, including mesothelioma, affect many innocent workers every year. If you or a family member has been affected, our specialist personal injury lawyers may be able to help you. Contact The Legal Line for cost free, risk free advice on 0800 032 8511 or by completing a claim enquiry form.
This story has also been reported by the BBC. To read more about it, visit "Widows Lose Asbestos Court Ruling".
For an update on this story, see our latest news section.
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