Campaign to overturn Law Lords asbestos ruling launched

Construction union UCATT’s campaign to overturn the Law Lords ruling blocking victims of pleural plaques receiving compensation, was launched this morning.

Members of UCATT, Labour MPs and asbestos campaigners met outside the Ministry of Justice to launch the union’s postcard campaign. They received a major boost when Jack Straw the Secretary of State for Justice and his junior minister Bridget Prentice received the first postcard in person.

Last October the Law Lords overturned 30 years of case law when they ruled that pleural plaques (scarring of the lungs caused by heavy and long term exposure to asbestos), was not a compensatable illness. The ruling is estimated to save insurance companies over £1 billion.

Experts predict that 1 in 7 of people, who have pleural plaques diagnosed, will later develop the incurable lung cancer mesothelioma. Last year over 2,000 people died of mesothelioma it is expected that deaths will continue to rise and could peak as high as 10,000 per year by 2020.

Pleural plaques have been demonstrated to cause some physical symptoms as well as extensive mental health issues. Those diagnosed with pleural plaques often develop depression, become very aggressive, have obsessive compulsive disorders or even have compulsive overeating issues (in order not to die thin from cancer.).

UCATT are distributing over 150,000 cards to union members and others concerned about the decision. The postcards which are addressed to Mr Straw, will show the groundswell of support for the Law Lords decision to be overturned. The postcard is also available in electronic format and can be downloaded HERE.

Alan Ritchie, general secretary of UCATT, who presented the postcard to Mr Straw said: “The Law Lords decision was a grave injustice. Thousands of ordinary workers have had their lives needlessly blighted by exposure to asbestos. As it stands the law allows greedy insurance companies to get rich while those whose only crime was to go to work, have had their health ruined, without recompense.”

Compensation for pleural plaques is usually just a few thousands pounds. However, if the insurers have already been identified and the victim then develops mesothelioma, compensation for the fatal condition, will be paid in the 12-15 months thee victim has left to live. Without this information the compensation is unlikely to be resolved before their death.

John Scott, a UCATT official from the north east, who has been diagnosed with pleural plaques, said: “For people like me the clock is ticking faster than it is for others. I try to be positive but in my heart of hearts it is always at the back of my mind.”

Tony O’Brien a UCATT activist from London, who was diagnosed with pleural plaques three years ago and who was exposed to asbestos since becoming an apprentice at 15, said: “The most important thing is the recognition of the damage that has been done to you that didn’t need to be done.”