Lords asbestos decision reversed

Asbestos particles can cause scarring of the lungs

A bill to help those suffering from past exposure to asbestos has been published by the Scottish Government.

The legislation would overturn a House of Lords ruling which said damages could not be claimed for benign scarring of the lungs.

The illness is known as "pleural plaques" and is an indicator that a victim may later develop a more serious illness like cancer.

Asbestos campaigners have welcomed the government's move.

Last year's ruling by the House of Lords meant that sufferers could no longer use the condition as a basis for a damages claim against the negligence of an employer.

Now Scottish ministers are to legislate to overrule that judgement.

This will certainly reduce the distress for those who know that their condition is permanent, and can develop into the more sinister asbestos related disease mesothelioma Harry McCluskey Clydeside Action on Asbestos

Fergus Ewing, community safety minister, said: "Industries such as ship building and construction contributed to our nation's wealth in the past.

"Sadly however these industries have also given many Scots a legacy which still impacts on their lives today through exposure to asbestos.

"It is therefore right and proper that we should not turn our back on these people."

Harry McCluskey, secretary of Clydeside Action on Asbestos, stated: "This bill will protect the rights of those with pleural plaques to be able to continue to pursue an action for civil compensation.

"This will certainly reduce the distress for those who know that their condition is permanent, and can develop into the more sinister asbestos-related disease mesothelioma.

"CAA is extremely grateful to the Scottish Government on behalf of all those who suffer with an asbestos related disease."

The bill has the backing of the Labour Party, and parliamentary progress is expected to be straightforward.

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