November 19th, 2004

A man whose asbestos case was being heard as a test case at Manchester High Court, England, has spoken about his fear of contracting more serious health problems following exposure to asbestos.

Kenneth Johnson from Tyne and Wear is one of ten claimants whose cases are being heard at the court, following contraction of pleural plaques. Insurance firms are fighting to put an end to the claims of those that do not have life threatening problems caused by asbestos exposure, such as pleural plaques. However, Johnson, and the other claimants, have stated that they fear that more serious repercussions may appear later in life.

The ten men have also told the courts that the exposure to asbestos, and the knowledge that this could ultimately lead to a fatal disease such as mesothelioma, is of great concern and has caused worry and anxiety. Mr Johnson told the courts that, although the pleural plaques were not life threatening in themselves, they were nevertheless an indication that something more serious could occur."

The insurance companies concerned have argued that the worry and concerns are not related to having pleural plaques and are fighting to stop these and other future payouts to those that have less serious health effects of asbestos exposure. It is estimated that around £25 million worth of claims could be stopped if the judge rules in favor of the insurance companies rather than the plaintiffs.