Petition image produced by Unionstogether
13 August 2009
Unionstogether has today (Thursday) launched a petition calling on the government to work to provide legal compensation for those suffering from pleural plaques.
Pleural plaques are a sign of deep scarring to the lungs caused by long-term exposure to asbestos. The condition can lead to mesothelioma.
Up until October 2007, sufferers were able to claim compensation in the UK courts; then came a controversial House of Lords decision which ceased to hold employers responsible for causation in cases of pleural plaques.
Since 2007, the Scottish Parliament and the Northern Ireland Assembly have both restored the legal right to claim compensation in such cases; the Unionstogether petition seeks to restore similar rights to claimants in England and Wales.
BECTU is a supporter of Unionstogether, the campaigning arm of the Trade Unions and Labour Party Liaison Organisation, of which BECTU is a member.
Since June 2006 BECTU has encouraged all members exposed to asbestos dust to register this fact with Thompsons Solicitors, the union lawyers, so that critical information is readily available in the event of future claims. Affected members should download the asbestos exposure questionnaire and forward this to direct to Thompsons; alternatively, request a form by post.
Bookmark this page with:
What's this?