| Government to act on mesothelioma claims
The controversy over compensation for mesothelioma sufferers looks set to take yet another turn after Tony Blair promised to take action over a recent House of Lords ruling. The judgment means that a single employer will not have to pay full compensation if another employer could also be guilty of exposing the same employee to asbestos. Because the time between exposure to asbestos and the diagnosis of mesothelioma can span decades it is not always possible to prove which company is responsible. The House of Lords judgment was intended to safeguard employers from having to pay full compensation in cases where another employer could have been held responsible but is no longer operating. The ruling was met with dismay by the families of mesothelioma sufferers and by the unions and prompted the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, to promise action on the new law.
Hot work: Sunday’s Race for Life event JONATHAN BECKER
WOMEN taking part in the Race for Life in Carlisle have criticised organisers for failing to provide water at the end of the course. Four thousand women made their way around the Sheepmount and Bitts Park on Sunday in 30C sweltering temperatures but found there was no free water at the end – just a complimentary carton of cranberry juice. Runners were asked to take their own water to Sunday's event or pay £1 for a bottle at the end of the course. Moyra Fisher, who works for Cumbria County Council, said: “I think there should have been a water station at least half way round on such a hot day and at the end. “They always used to give out water after finishing the race. “Cranberry juice leaves the mouth a bit dry and you can't really pour it over your head to cool down." Participant Kate Stark, of Carlisle, said: “I think given that it was so hot they should have had a water station half way round and at the end.
Mesothelioma Compensation Bill receives Royal Assent
The Department of Constitutional Affairs (DCA) has announced that the Compensation Bill for mesothelioma victims has received Royal Assent. The Compensation Act 2006 will make it quicker and simpler for people who contract mesothelioma because they have been negligently exposed to asbestos to recover compensation from employers. However, there will also be stricter regulations on claims management companies. After regulation comes into force, any unauthorised person offering claims management services will be committing an offence and will be liable to up to 2 years imprisonment. Baroness Ashton, DCA Minister, said: "The Compensation Act is an important step in tackling false perceptions of a compensation culture. It will ensure that there is proper regulation of those who manage compensation claims.
I still want lung damage payout
A grandfather is among dozens of people in the area struck down by asbestos-related illnesses waiting on a landmark High Court ruling to see if they will be able to receive thousands of pounds in compensation.David Brown, 58, suffers from pleural plaques, a condition which means his lungs are lined with patches of asbestos.Up until seven months ago Mr Brown, who was exposed to asbestos when he worked as plumber at a number of companies in the city for 30 years and is now a bus driver, would have been liable to receive up to £10,000 in compensation.However, earlier this year Norwich Union successfully argued in the High Court that while pleural plaques showed a person had been exposed to asbestos, it did not mean they were suffering from any disease and therefore people could not make a claim.
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