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Asbestos disease claims stopped Asbestos condition claims stopped
(about 3 hours later)
Hundreds of Scottish workers suffering from an asbestos-related disease will not be able to claim compensation after a ruling by Law Lords. Hundreds of Scottish workers suffering from an asbestos-related condition will not be able to claim compensation after a ruling by Law Lords.
They ruled a condition called pleural plaques, a scarring of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos, is technically not a disease. They ruled the condition called pleural plaques, a scarring of the lungs caused by exposure to asbestos, is technically not a disease as it has no symptoms.
Therefore it should not be open to compensation claims, Law Lords said.Therefore it should not be open to compensation claims, Law Lords said.
Union leaders attacked the decision, saying it would lead to "massive savings" for insurance firms.Union leaders attacked the decision, saying it would lead to "massive savings" for insurance firms.
Unions had appealed against an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal in January 2006.Unions had appealed against an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal in January 2006.
Pleural plaques are areas of thick scar tissue which form in the chest lining and diaphragm and are caused by asbestos exposure. Pleural plaques are areas of thick scar tissue which form in the chest lining and diaphragm and can be caused by asbestos exposure.
No symptoms The House of Lords is crumbling and selling out to the businesses and insurance companies Bill Kidd MSP
Over time, this thickening of the pleural membrane, which lines the lungs, can make breathing difficult and can, in some cases, be accompanied by the development of serious respiratory diseases including mesothelioma and lung cancer. Bill Kidd, a regional Nationalist MSP for Glasgow, said: "The SNP, Labour and the Liberal Democrats are all standing strongly beside those workers affected.
Mesothelioma has been diagnosed in 400 men - most of them former Clydeside shipyard workers. "The House of Lords is crumbling and selling out to the businesses and insurance companies."
The insurance firms had said they should not be liable because pleural plaques was not a disease as it had no symptoms. Agnes Dixon, who suffers from pleural plaques, said the decision was a huge blow.
She added: "For the House of Lords to turn down compensation is absolutely shocking.
"I am living with this condition on a daily basis. I just want to be able to see my five grandchildren become adults."
Shipyard workers
Serious respiratory diseases including mesothelioma and lung cancer have been diagnosed in 400 men - most of them former Clydeside shipyard workers.
But the ruling means that insurance companies should not be liable over pleural plaque claims.
The case dates back to November 2004 when 10 men went to court seeking compensation from insurance companies which wanted to stop payments.The case dates back to November 2004 when 10 men went to court seeking compensation from insurance companies which wanted to stop payments.
In February 2005, the High Court ruled that people suffering from pleural plaques should receive compensation. In February 2005, the High Court originally ruled that people suffering from pleural plaques should receive compensation.
It found there was an increased risk of developing other asbestos-related diseases and that having the plaques caused anxiety. It found there was an increased risk of developing other asbestos-related conditions and that having the plaques caused anxiety.
However, it reduced payment from between £5,000 and £15,000, to £3,000 and £7,000.However, it reduced payment from between £5,000 and £15,000, to £3,000 and £7,000.