31st October 2006

Government acts with "compassion" on asbestos victims

The government has announced that it will not be reclaiming any compensation from Turner and Newall asbestos compensation claimants.

The decision means that former employees of Turner and Newall who have been pursuing compensation claims for asbestos exposure will be allowed to keep 100 per cent of their compensation instead of paying a portion of it to the government's Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU).

Compensation Payment Process

Clear Answers' lawyers, Thompsons Solicitors have been at the forefront of the battle to secure compensation payments for the thousands of ex Turner and Newall employees who are suffering from asbestos related diseases such as mesothelioma.

However due to the fact that compensation payments are set to be much lower than would have been the case had Turner and Newall not gone into administration, victims would have lost another chunk of their compensation had the usual CRU rules been enforced.

CRU rules usually state that the government is entitled to reclaim the first five years of any state benefit which has been awarded once the victim receives their compensation payment.

Ian McFall, head of asbestos litigation for Clear Answers' lawyers, Thompsons Solicitors said: "This is a swift and compassionate move by the government which will make a real difference to thousands of asbestos sufferers and their families. These claimants have had an agonising wait for their compensation, since T&N went into administration, and even though the settlement fund has now been established, they are only likely to receive about 20p in the £1 - significantly lower than the real worth of their claims".

"To have to lose still more of their damages by paying back benefits to the government would have been a very difficult thing for claimants to understand. We welcome this move, which will help hundreds of people immediately and many more who may claim in the future."

Compensation Claim

If you or a member of you family have been affected by mesothelioma or another type of asbestos related disease then you may be able to proceed with a compensation claim. Contact us on 0800 783 9019 and speak to one of our advisors or alternatively fill out an online compensation claim form.

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