March 20th, 2007

According to the UK’s Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton, more and more people in the UK that are victims of asbestos exposure will be able to claim a payout for the government, and this could be in the form of a lump sum payment in just six weeks.

According to reports this will apply to those directly affected through exposure to asbestos through work, those living in areas close to asbestos factories that have suffered as a result, those exposed on a secondary basis from a relative, and also those that have been exposed to the deadly substance but don’t know where.

One MP stated: "Currently people can die before they get compensation, or they could find they aren't eligible because they contracted the disease from living near a works or being exposed to a relative who worked there, rather than working at the factory themselves. That is an awful injustice."

It is thought that the government payments to asbestos victims could begin early next year, and the government has reiterated that receiving this lump sum payout will not affect the person’s right to pursue civil action in order to get compensation for their asbestos related injuries and health problems.