August 17th, 2007

Sufferers of an asbestos related disease in the UK are awaiting the results of an appeal with regards to whether or not they will be able to claim compensation for their injuries and the psychological effects of asbestos exposure. However, the workers have been told that they may have to wait until October of this year before a decision is made.

The workers are claiming for twenty years of exposure that has led to lung scarring, known as pleural plaques. In some cases these pleural plaques can turn to the asbestos related cancer known as mesothelioma. Lawyers working for the claimants want compensation to be considered for physical and psychological effects.

Workers were stopped from claiming compensation for pleural plaques after insurance companies challenged the claims stating that they were not serious enough to be awarded compensation. However, lawyers have now appealed this and the decision is expected in October.

Previously, workers were being paid interim payments of around four thousand pounds, and then being offered around ten thousand, sometimes more, providing they signed away any right to make a further claim if they did later develop mesothelioma.