May 12th, 2006

Recent reports from Ulster in Ireland have indicated that the payout for asbestos victims in Ireland and the UK is likely to be slashed. This comes after a House of Lords ruling relating to asbestos payouts, where the liability of employers responsible for exposure to asbestos has been cut dramatically. Victims, families, and support groups have expressed their frustration and disappointment at the ruling.

Three test appeals brought by company insurers have been upheld by the House of Lords. Insurers argued that damages in each of the cases should be limited. With each company now being held responsible for a portion of the damages, it is thought that due to the long latency period of the disease many of them could be out of business by the time it comes to making a claim.

A spokesperson from the Justice for Asbestos Victims' lobby group stated: "As far as we are concerned we think this is a step backwards and removes compensation for victims and their families in a way which is unjust. At that time a lot of people had several employers, they went where the work was, so this will affect them very badly."

This ruling will affect many claims in the UK, and could result in losses of millions in compensation. At present around nineteen hundred people pass away every year from the asbestos related cancer, mesothelioma, and this is a figure that is expected to continue rising for the next decade or so.