TUC Welcomes Asbestos Compensation Move

The TUC has welcomed the announcement from Work and Pensions Secretary John Hutton MP that he is to look at ways of speeding up compensation for mesothelioma victims and their families.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'Following the recent Barker House of Lords ruling which slashed the money due to two asbestos widows, we welcome the news that the Government is to try to find a way of ensuring that mesothelioma victims get quicker access to justice and compensation.

'But unions and asbestos support groups must be involved in any talks about the proposals that take place with the Association of British Insurers and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers. And more importantly, any reform must have the needs of victims and their families at its heart.

'Although it can take 40 years after asbestos exposure for mesothelioma to develop, once this terrible disease has got a hold on a victim's lungs, death comes quickly. Asbestos victims don't have time on their side, so for any proposals to work, they must lead to quicker, more efficient decisions on compensation payouts.'

The current issue of the TUC-backed health and safety journal Hazards contains an article on the tragedy behind the asbestos statistics, and features individuals who have suffered pain, heartache and death as a result of coming into contact with the fatal fibres during their working lives.

Source: TUC

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