ABI supports Government initiatives to help those with asbestos-related diseases

Thursday, 25 February 2010 12:00 AM

The ABI has welcomed today's announcement by the Justice Secretary Jack Straw of a package of measures to help people with asbestos-related diseases.

Nick Starling, the ABI's Director of General Insurance and Health, said:

"Insurers remain determined to ensure that all those entitled to compensation receive it. We commend the Government's efforts to increase help to those suffering from mesothelioma. Last year alone insurers paid out over £100million to mesothelioma sufferers, but it is unacceptable that it takes up to two years for these claims to work through the compensation system. We are pleased that the Government is setting up a working group to review the system, and hope that it will deliver real results.

"Insurers also support the Government's aim to provide more research into asbestos-related diseases, and will be contributing £3million to help them to fund that research.

"And, as part of the Government consultation on providing more help to those with asbestos-related diseases, we are driving forward work on an Employers' Liability Tracing Office."

Commenting on the Government's decision not to reverse the House of Lords judgment on pleural plaques, Nick Starling added:

"The Government's decision not to reverse the House of Lords ruling is the right one. The House of Lords judgement reflects medical evidence that plaques are symptomless, have no impact on health, and do not develop into asbestos-related diseases, like mesothelioma. It also upholds the fundamental legal principle that compensation is payable when someone suffers symptoms following negligence, but not for exposure to a risk alone."

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Notes for Editors

1. Enquiries to:
Malcolm Tarling 020 7216 7410 (Mobile: 07776 147 667)
Erfan Hussain 020 7216 7411 (Mobile: 07712 841 184)
Kelly Ostler-Coyle 020 7216 7415 (Mobile: 07968 364 302)

2. In October 2007 in the case of Rothwell v Chemical & Insulating Co. Ltd, the Law Lords ruled that, taking into account medical evidence, pleural plaques were not a compensatable condition as they did not, in themselves, lead to other physical conditions confirmed by medical diagnosis.

3. The ABI is the voice of the insurance and investment industry. Its members constitute over 90 per cent of the insurance market in the UK and 20 per cent across the EU. They control assets equivalent to a quarter of the UK's capital. They are the risk managers of the UK's economy and society. Through the ABI their voice is heard in Government and in public debate on insurance, savings and investment matters.

4. An ISDN line is available for broadcasts.

5. More news and information from the ABI is available on our web site, www.abi.org.uk.

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