Mesothelioma compensation claims process to be improved

Measures to improve the process for providing compensation to the sufferers of asbestos-related disease mesothelioma were announced yesterday 20 July by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton.

Changes include the introduction of a standard mesothelioma claim letter that should ensure claims receive priority treatment.

The current changes, according to Hutton, are “just the first steps”. Further changes are also planned and more information is expected to be available this autumn.

Earlier this week the government also decided to amend the Compensation Bill currently before Parliament in order to allow sufferers of mesothelioma to claim for full damages from one employer, irrespective of whether or not they had also been exposed to asbestos by another employer.

The amendment overturned an earlier ruling by the House of Lords in May this year that sufferers had to claim proportionate shares of compensation from each employer that had exposed them to asbestos. This deprived sufferers of full compensation if they could not trace one or more of their previous employers.

The TUC welcomed the amendment, saying: “While no amount of compensation will ever make up for the loss of a loved one from this dreadful disease, at least those who do make a successful claim against their employer will know that any settlement will not be reduced because one or more of their previous employers cannot be traced.”