Landmark case set to see asbestos claims rise

Workers exposed to low levels of asbestos dust have been given the green light to launch claims for compensation following a landmark ruling in the Supreme Court this week.
 
And of the country’s leading legal experts in this area said he expects compensation claims to rise significantly with people involved in a wide range of trades now set to pursue a claim.
 
Michael Osborne from Hampshire law firm Moore Blatch Resolve said that in the past, workers in trades where asbestos was widespread, such as shipbuilding and engineering provided the bulk of claims but now office workers, teachers and lab technicians are set to make a stand.
 
This week’s judgement involved two women, one exposed to asbestos dust at school as a pupil and the second an office worker in a packaging factory.
 
“We believe these judgements will see successful cases rise by around 10 per cent in the coming years as more companies will be held liable for exposing people to low levels of the dust,’’ said Michael.
 
“These cases are significant and are welcome news for men and women with mesothelioma as the Supreme Court has accepted that, if someone was wrongfully exposed to asbestos by only one company or organisation, then that defendant is liable to compensate for the mesothelioma in full, as long as the exposure to asbestos was not insignificant,’’ he said.
 
“There are several groups of people who are likely to be helped by this decision; such as carpenters, electricians, office workers in factories, painters and decorators, teachers, and lab technicians.’’
 
He said the team at Moore Blatch Resolve works on a wide range of cases and provides a starting point for those who have been exposed to asbestos.
 
“Often, compensation is due to victims of asbestos diseases but many sufferers don’t know where to start or who to contact,” said Michael. “I urge anyone who thinks they might have a claim to speak to the team here. We will do our best to help and we will do all we can to ensure the process is as smooth, straightforward and stress-free as it can possibly be.
 
For details of the Moore Blatch Resolve Asbestos claims team log onto www.mooreblatchresolve.com