Insurers furious at Scottish asbestos ruling

by David Masters

Story link: Insurers furious at Scottish asbestos ruling

Insurers across the UK have been left fuming following new legislation from the Scottish Government giving those harmed by asbestos the right to claim compensation.

Last year, the House of Lords ruled that people exposed to asbestos could only claim compensation if the exposure had resulted in a physical problem.

Many people exposed to asbestos do not develop physical problems, but only benign scarring of lungs called ‘pleural plaques’.

The new legislation from the Scottish Parliament means that people suffering from pleural plaques can claim compensation.

Anyone who can prove that the pleural plaques have led to physical problems will be able to claim higher levels of compensation.

Asbestos campaigners are said to be ‘delighted’ by the ruling, as it is believed that pleural plaques can lead to serious illnesses such as cancer.

However, the insurance industry is furious.

Nick Starling of the Association of British Insurance said that the ruling contravenes medical guidelines and flies in the face of common sense.