Victims Furious Over Asbestos Defeat
Article Added January 29th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
Colin Powell, a grandfather in England, is suffering from pleural plaques, a lung scarring from exposure to asbestos. He is also trying to overturn a judgment that prevents asbestos victims from claiming compensation.
Pleural plaques can be a result of working with electronic supplies before the 1980’s, which is the case for Powell. It causes permanent and incurable scarring in the lungs, causing a higher risk of serious respiratory illnesses. A previous ruling that would have allowed Powell and others to claim up to 7000 pounds of compensation was overturned on Monday. Insurance companies will benefit since a 1 billion pound compensation bill will no longer be needed. While Powell understands why insurance companies don’t want to pay now for something that happened three decades ago, he is mad that the insurance companies are not paying for damages under their coverage; he feels that his former employer put their employees at risk.
The Manchester High Court ruled in 2004 during a test hearing that victims could start litigation for compensation. Three judges later overruled the decision in a hearing in late 2005 after an appeal was brought forward by Norwich Union, representing a group of insurance companies. The decision was based on the fact that though pleural plaques is caused by asbestos, the condition does not directly make the sufferer ill. Those living with the condition think other wise.
Article Added January 29th, 2006 - Print This Story - Bookmark This Story
- Ron Eddins, Founding Partner
View archived Asbestos and Mesothelioma articles below:
