More payouts and faster for asbestos disease

Government proposals that will speed up government payouts to people suffering from the asbestos cancer mesothelioma and that for the first time will include compensation for those not exposed while working, have been welcomed by unions.

Work and pensions secretary John Hutton this week set out proposals to provide faster compensation to all people diagnosed with mesothelioma. Under current rules only people who contract the disease from exposure to asbestos at work are eligible to claim a lump sum from the state.

The proposals would provide up-front financial support to people who were previously not eligible, including those who were: exposed to asbestos from a relative (for example, from their overalls); exposed to asbestos environmentally (for example, lived near a factory using asbestos); the self-employed; and those who can't trace their exposure to asbestos.

The minister said the government is 'committed to ensuring that everyone with mesothelioma can receive compensation, irrespective of their employment history. This legislation would mean that once diagnosed, every sufferer should receive a substantial payment within six weeks of making a claim.'

TGWU director of legal services Fergus Whitty said: 'It is vital that sufferers of mesothelioma receive payments speedily as the disease can develop rapidly, so we welcome the government's proposals.'

He added: The union notes that the number of cases will peak in the year 2025, so assistance for mesothelioma sufferers should continue to be improved.'

Amicus deputy general secretary, Graham Goddard, commented: 'We welcome the government's position to accelerate the time people have to wait for compensation from this cancer.'

He added: 'Finally after years of campaigning, the government will now also include secondary suffers who contract the disease, which is now the most common cause of work-related death, from family members or just happen to live near a factory which used asbestos.'

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said: 'People who have worked with asbestos and who, as a result, are suffering from mesothelioma don't have time on their side so the government is to be congratulated for ensuring that the victims of this terrible disease get quicker access to justice and compensation.'

The move was also welcomed by the Tory's shadow minister for work, Andrew Selous.

• DWP news release . TUC news release . TGWU news release . Amicus news release . Conservative Party news release . Yorkshire Evening Post . The Herald . The Courier . Western Daily Press .
• Action Mesothelioma . Hazards asbestos webpages

Rory O'Neill, editor Hazards

14 March 2007

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