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8 Crown Avenue, Radnor Park, Clydebank, G81 3BW
Tel. 0141 951 1008
Fax. 0141 562 0045
e-mail. clydebankasbestos@ntlbusiness.com
Registered Charity Number: SCO22856 |
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The Executive of the Scottish Parliament posted a Bill (Damages (Asbestos - related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill on the 28th June 2008.
This Bill will consolidate the position in Scotland of the right to compensation for Pleural Plaques sufferers, people who suffer from what the insurance industry calls "asymptomatic pleural thickening" and "asymptomatic asbestosis" they will continue to have the right to claim compensation. |
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After two years of waiting, cases being cisted and victims being accused of mischievousness. After an initial Court Case that was won by the victims and after constant pursuance by the very people responsible for polluting these individuals. The House of Lords came to the conclusion that asbestos related Pleural Plaques does not have an effect on the victims.
As a result the Clydebank Asbestos Group was once more on the campaign trail in support of the victims.
The Clydebank Asbestos Group was delighted to attend a meeting called by Scottish Minister Kenny MacAskill on the 29th of November 2007. The minister told us he had good news for us with regards to our concerns about the disgraceful House of Lords decision on Pleural Plaques “that after more than twenty years of paying out compensation, suddenly it does not have a physical effect on you”? The decision was shambolic and this initiative reflects the total disgrace of the Lords judgement.
Kenny told us that the Scottish Parliament would be legislating in the spring to negate the effects of the House of Lords decision in 2008.
We told the minister that we were delighted with the decision and congratulated the M.S.P’s in coming up with a decision that was in touch with the aspirations of the Scottish people.
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This decision by the House of Lords is appalling and flies totally against all moral and legal judgements.
Pleural plaques is poisoning of the lungs by asbestos, one of the deadliest materials that working men and women can come into contact with.
Those of us who worked in the shipbuilding construction and other industries that used or manufactured asbestos know only too well the disastrous consequences of inhaling these deadly fibres.
All of us who worked in these industries have a great fear that asbestos poisoning and its consequences will perhaps visit us.
Those victims of pleural plaques, which is considered the least damaging of the four conditions, know the fear, foreboding and mental anxiety when told they have an asbestos related condition.
We, in the Asbestos Support Groups know that victims of pleural plaques are more liable go on to suffer from the other debilitating asbestos conditions, including mesothelioma.
No amount of compensation can overcome the panic and fear that this news brings, not only to the victim but to the rest of the family.
Compensation for pleural plaques has been recognised for twenty years or more and is well established within the legal system.
Here we see the Insurance Companies and employers successfully challenging compensation provision that has been in place for many years.
It is another example of them avoiding their responsibilities to these victims.
This means increased profits for them and the denial of justice and compensation to pleural plaque victims.
We fully support the requirement of a Bill within the Scottish Parliament to legislate in favour of the victims of Pleural Plaques, to ensure that these victim’s rights to claim compensation will remain, and exist, within the Scottish Justice System.
We can assure you that here in Scotland we will be opposing this legal ruling and will be calling on our supporters within the political, trade union, legal and other support groups for their help to ensure that if this is applied in Scotland it is overturned by new legislation.
As a first step we will be calling on the West Dunbartonshire Council with a resolution condemning this ruling and calling for their support.
Bob Dickie
Chairperson
Clydebank Asbestos Group
18th October 2007
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Clydebank Asbestos Group are currently involved in placing before the Scottish Parliament a petition to ensure that Alimta (the only drug available to mesothelioma victims) is not withdrawn from victims in Scotland (Petition PE1006).
Representatives of the Scottish Asbestos groups are meeting the Deputy Health Minister on the 21st March 2007.
In England the National Instition of Clinical Excellence (NICE)decided to remove ALIMTA for free use in the NHS. This decision is currently being appealed. |
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| Clydeside Action On Asbestos held an invitation only event to mark this years Action Mesothelioma Day 2007. For more details on this years event please contact Clydebank Action on Asbestos on 0141 552 8852. |
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