The Ministry of Justice has introduced new measures to support people who have been exposed to asbestos .
The initiative comes after a government consultation on how best to respond to a Law Lords’ ruling which decided that pleural plaques, an asbestos -related condition, are not compensatable.
Insurers have been involved in a long running argument where they argue that the plaques, which are areas of fibrosis present on the inner surface of the ribcage and the diaphragm, do not impact on health or lead to asbestos-related diseases .
In agreement, the Government will be offering fixed payments of £5,000 for individuals who had begun, but not resolved, a legal claim for compensation for pleural plaques at the time of the House of Lords’ ruling in October 2007.
It will also establish an Employers Liability Tracing Office to aid people who develop an asbestos-related disease to trace the relevant insurer and obtain full compensation .




