A recent ruling by the House of Lords in relation to Claimants suffering from an asbestos related condition known as pleural plaques has attracted wide spread criticism from the legal industry and trade unions.

For many years, sufferers of a condition known as pleural plaques were able to claim compensation for negligent exposure from the employer who exposed them. However, following a legal challenge by insurance companies the Law Lords agreed that the condition was not one, which is compensable, as the condition did not create any symptoms although sufferers would argue that there was an increased risk of developing other asbestos related diseases and suffering from anxiety after having been diagnosed with the condition.

In the previous century, asbestos products were used for various purposes especially in industry, including floor tiles and sheeting, roofing materials, fire proofing, brake pads and shoes, interior fire doors, as well as fireproof safety clothing.

For an individual exposed to asbestos there is a possibility that the inhalation of the fibres could lead to an asbestos related disease and the usual lag time between exposure and diagnosis of a condition, if one develops, is usually between fifteen and forty five years.

There are various other asbestos caused conditions which are still compensable under law including pleural thickening which can cause lung impairment, asbestosis which is a serious long term lung disease, and most serious of all mesothelioma which is a malignant lung cancer leading to a drastically reduced life span.

If you or a relative have developed one of the above conditions, and have been exposed to asbestos during your working life, then you may be entitled to pursue a claim for compensation.