Pleural Plaques Compensation
A support group for victims of asbestos and their families in the North East is urging people not to become victims of law firms trying to take a cut of their compensation.
In October 2007 the House of Lords ruled that compensation would no longer be payable to anyone suffering from pleural plaques. Despite a campaign led by trade unions and supported by newspapers such as The Evening Chronicle the last Government decided not to overturn the decision.
The Government did however, decide to make one-off payments of £5,000 to anyone who had been diagnosed with pleural plaques and who had started a claim which was not resolved by the time the House of Lords ended the right to compensation.
Applying for Pleural Plaques Compensation
If you started a claim for pleural plaques compensation which was not resolved by October 2007 then you may be entitled to claim under the new government scheme. As it is a Government scheme solicitors costs will not be covered.
Thompsons Solicitors is not charging any of its clients for making a claim under the pleural plaques scheme
The Northern TUC Asbestos Support and Campaign Group has pointed out that some other firms of solicitors are seeking to profit from their clients by charging them for making a claim through the scheme.
Comment from Thompsons Solicitors
Ian McFall, head of asbestos policy at Thompsons, said: “The government’s pleural plaques scheme would not exist had it not been for the efforts of trades unions and support from the Chronicle’s campaign.
“The risk now is that solicitors who bought their cases from claims companies, and the more unscrupulous of no-win no-fee lawyers will not provide assistance because they will not be paid, or will only do so in return for taking a cut from the client’s scheme payment.”
This news story was also published by the Evening Chronicle.
Asbestos disease diagnosis? Talk to us for advice and support on how to secure compensation.
If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, we can support you with advice on how to make a claim.
The process will be explained in plain English and with no obligation – our priority is to provide you with the best, expert advice on whether you have a valid case for compensation, and to signpost you to further sources of support.
There are strict time limits applied to making a claim – usually three years from the date of diagnosis. It doesn’t matter if the exposure to asbestos took place – as it often does – decades ago, the three year time limit applies to the date of knowledge of diagnosis or date of death.
For further information, visit our How to Make A Compensation Claim page.