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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Asbestos condition claims stopped | Asbestos condition claims stopped |
| (8 minutes later) | |
| Hundreds of Scottish workers suffering from an asbestos-related condition 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 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. | 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 can be 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. |
| The House of Lords is crumbling and selling out to the businesses and insurance companies Bill Kidd MSP | The House of Lords is crumbling and selling out to the businesses and insurance companies Bill Kidd MSP |
| Bill Kidd, a regional Nationalist MSP for Glasgow, said: "The SNP, Labour and the Liberal Democrats are all standing strongly beside those workers affected. | Bill Kidd, a regional Nationalist MSP for Glasgow, said: "The SNP, Labour and the Liberal Democrats are all standing strongly beside those workers affected. |
| "The House of Lords is crumbling and selling out to the businesses and insurance companies." | "The House of Lords is crumbling and selling out to the businesses and insurance companies." |
| Agnes Dixon, who suffers from pleural plaques, said the decision was a huge blow. | 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. | 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." | "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 | Shipyard workers |
| Serious respiratory diseases including mesothelioma and lung cancer have been diagnosed in 400 men - most of them former Clydeside 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, as it has no physical symptoms other than the scarring to the lungs. | |
| 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 originally 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 conditions 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. |