The Government's Pleural Plaques
Payment Scheme opened for applications on 2 August 2010 .
The scheme will make one-off
payments of £5,000 to people who had begun, but not resolved, a
legal claim for compensation before a Law Lords ruling on 17
October 2007.
The 2007 ruling upheld a Court
of Appeal decision that the existence of pleural plaques does not
constitute actionable or compensatable damage under the civil law.
The Government will not overturn the Law Lords decision but the
one-off payments will be made to those in England and Wales who had
begun, but not resolved, a legal claim for compenation before the
Law Lords ruling.
Pleural plaques are small,
localised areas of fibrosis caused by exposure to asbestos fibres
found within the pleura of the lung.
How to apply for a payment
under the pleural plaques payment scheme
To apply for payment under this
scheme, you must have been diagnosed with pleural plaques as a
result of asbestos exposure and have attempted to claim damages for
the condition prior to 17 October 2007.
- As part of your damages claim, you must have a) issued a claim
form or b) sent a claim letter prior to 17 October 2007 (in line
with Pre-Action Protocol for Disease and Illness).
or
- Prior to 17 October 2007 you must have named a
defendant/insurer to make your claim against, approached a
legal/trade union representative about your case and received
confirmation that your case was being taken on
In addition, you must:
- not have received any interim payments from your claim for
£5000 or more;
- have never resolved your case.
You can apply to the scheme directly
by calling 0300 303 8150 or complete the
scheme's online application form.
Deadline for submission of
applications is 1 August 2011.
We are currently assisting all our
clients who are eligable and making applications on their behalf
free of charge.