Urgent Call for Reform in Asbestos Compensation Law: A Fair Deal for All Victims
As the head of our asbestos compensation claims team and having represented many people suffering with asbestos related disease, I am deeply committed to ensuring that every victim of asbestos-related disease receives just and equitable compensation. Today, I would like to draw your attention to a pressing campaign initiated by the Asbestos Victims Support Groups Forum UK (AVSGF) and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
This vital campaign aims to reform the existing legal framework for asbestos compensation claims, striving to create a fairer system for individuals suffering from asbestos-related lung cancer and to bring it into line with claims for mesothelioma.
The Current Injustice
Currently, victims of asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis, or pleural thickening encounter a complex and sometimes lengthy process to secure full compensation. The law necessitates that each employer responsible for their asbestos exposure is traced, a process that can be laborious, especially when dealing with dissolved companies or uninsured employers. Once these employers are identified, the compensation is distributed among them, with each employer held accountable for their portion.
Addressing the Discrepancy
This is in stark contrast to victims of mesothelioma, another asbestos-related cancer. Mesothelioma victims can seek full compensation from just one employer, irrespective of how many employers they worked for. This glaring disparity calls for immediate reform to bring about a more just and fair system for all who suffer from an asbestos related disease.
The Call for Change
In response to this pressing issue, Mr. Docherty-Hughes, MP, has introduced an Early Day Motion (EDM 1223) advocating for legislative changes that would provide justice to individuals suffering from apportioned asbestos diseases. This motion rightly acknowledges the need for fair compensation for asbestos-related lung cancer sufferers, bringing the law in line with the rights enjoyed by mesothelioma victims. This move is vital, given the striking similarities between these diseases and the profound and long-lasting impact they have on their victims.
Taking a Stand
I wholeheartedly support Mr. Docherty-Hughes' EDM and echo the campaign's core aim, which is to reform the law to ensure fairness and equality. Every victim of an asbestos-related disease is entitled to receive 100% of their compensation if they can identify one liable employer who negligently exposed them to asbestos.
In light of the undeniable inequity in the current legal framework governing asbestos compensation claims, we must take a united stand and rally behind the call for reform. As the head of our asbestos compensation claims team, I am steadfast in my commitment to this crucial cause, ensuring that all victims, regardless of their specific asbestos-related disease, gain access to fair and equal compensation. Together, let us champion this campaign for justice, working toward a future where no victim is left without the support they rightfully deserve.
Reach Out to Your Local MP
Join us in reaching out to your local Members of Parliament (MPs) and advocating for the reform of asbestos compensation laws. Your support can bring about a more just and equal system, ensuring that every individual receives the compensation they rightfully deserve. Together, we can make a difference.