Disgust at Insurers Appeal on Pleural Plaques Ruling

Construction union UCATT are disgusted at the announcement that leading insurance companies will appeal against the findings of a judicial review, which entirely rejected their claim that the right to compensation for pleural plaques victims should not be restored in Scotland.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of UCATT, said: “These actions prove that the insurance industry has no shame. This is a cynical action designed to try to block compensation for asbestos victims both north and south of the border. It is not about principle it is all about money.”

On January 8 the Court of Session in Edinburgh overwhelmingly dismissed a judicial review brought by leading insurance companies Aviva, AXA Insurance, RSA and Zurich, which had sought to overturn the Scottish Parliament’s Damages Act, which restores the right to compensation for pleural plaques victims in Scotland.

Mr Ritchie, added: “The Scottish Parliament must stand up to the bully boy tactics of the insurers, there must be no further delay on pleural plaques victims receiving compensation in Scotland. I hope that people will note the actions of these insurance companies and remember them when they come to renew their insurance policies.”