Exposed to asbestos at work
A five year freeze on thousands of compensation claims for asbestos victims throughout the UK has been lifted today (11 October 2006).
Former workers for asbestos manufacturer Turner and Newall will now be able to restart their claims for exposure to the deadly dust.
Branches of Thompsons Solicitors throughout the country are now working to ensure that hundreds of claimants who worked for Turner and Newall will receive their compensation soon.
The workers, some of whom now suffer from mesothelioma, were exposed to deadly levels of asbestos every day during their working life at factories and plants throughout the country. Over 100 former Turner & Newall and Newalls Insulation employees have died while waiting more than five years for their cash.
The claims were frozen in 2001 after Turner and Newall’s parent company Federal Mogul went into administration.
Since then claimants and their families have been waiting for administrators to battle out an agreement with Federal Mogul’s insurers.
Asbestos victims can now claim compensation
Just last month claimants voted in favour of a compensation settlement by the company’s administrators.
Part of that deal, which will see claimants who worked for Turner and Newall after1969 share a cash pot of £36m, was approved by the High Court of Justice on Friday, October 6.
Employees and their families who worked for Turner and Newall prior to 1969 will share compensation worth £33m.
Both schemes are now ready to start receiving claims from victims’ lawyers.
Ian McFall, National Head of Asbestos Litigation at Thompsons Solicitors, said: “This is the final hurdle in what has been a five year battle to gain compensation for asbestos victims.
“We will be working hard to ensure claimants receive their compensation as soon as possible.”
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.