Equality needed for all mesothelioma victims
A campaign to achieve justice for asbestos families in England and Wales has been backed by MPs.
A Parliamentary Early Day Motion (EDM), laid down by Blaydon MP David Anderson, supports the campaign by Thompsons Solicitors, which is demanding equality for families affected by asbestos in England and Wales after it was revealed they are receiving tens of thousands of pounds less in compensation than their Scottish counterparts.
The EDM calls for the injustice in the way compensation for bereavement is awarded to families who have lost a relative to mesothelioma, to be resolved.
It has been signed by scores of MP, many from areas heavily affected by asbestos-related diseases, including Ribble Valley MP, Nigel Evans, Portsmouth MP, Mike Hancock and Keighley MP, Ann Cryer.
Mesothelioma Compensation
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lung and is caused by exposure to asbestos.
In England and Wales the level of bereavement compensation is set at £10,000 by law and is only payable to the spouse of the deceased but over the border in Scotland payments up to £30,000 have been made to bereaved widows.
Not only widows but other family members in Scotland can also receive bereavement compensation of between £10,000 to £15,000 each.
The EDM urges the Government to ‘act swiftly to ensure that those suffering from this deadly disease have the same rights in England and Wales as they do in Scotland’.
The campaign is being led by Thompsons Solicitors, which has offices across the UK.
Thompsons head of asbestos policy, Ian McFall said: “Bereavement compensation for families of those who have died from mesothelioma should be equal no matter where you were exposed to asbestos in the UK.
“We are pleased many MPs have signed this EDM to show their support for the campaign and we hope they will fight with us to create a fairer system for all mesothelioma families in England and Scotland.”
Asbestos disease diagnosis? Talk to us for advice and support on how to secure compensation.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we can support you with advice on how to make a claim.
The process will be explained in plain English and with no obligation – our priority is to provide you with the best, expert advice on whether you have a valid case for compensation, and to signpost you to further sources of support.
There are strict time limits applied to making a claim – usually three years from the date of diagnosis. It doesn’t matter if the exposure to asbestos took place – as it often does – decades ago, the three year time limit applies to the date of knowledge of diagnosis or date of death.
For further information, visit our How to Make A Compensation Claim page.