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12th October 2007

Mesothelioma sufferers call for fairer compensation

Asbestos related disease

Mesothelioma sufferers and their families in the North East are calling for fairer compensation for asbestos related disease.

Members of the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Self Help Group are asking for the level of bereavement compensation paid to families of mesothelioma victims in England and Wales to be increased in line with payments currently made in Scotland.

The group, which has 50 members from across the region, is backing Thompsons Solicitors’ campaign, Justice for Asbestos Families.

Cancer of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos

The solicitors, who have an office in Newcastle, have highlighted an injustice in the way compensation for bereavement is awarded to families who have lost a relative to mesothelioma, a fatal cancer of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos.

The campaign comes after it was revealed families in England and Wales are receiving tens of thousands of pounds less in compensation than their counterparts in Scotland.

Bereavement Compensation

In England and Wales compensation for bereavement is set at £10,000 by law and is only payable to the spouse of the deceased. In Scotland payments up to £30,000 have been made to bereaved widows.

Not only widows but other family members in Scotland also receive bereavement compensation of between £10,000 to £15,000 each.

The campaign calls for a change in the way bereavement payments are assessed so families across the UK are treated equally.

Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Self Help Group

Members of the self help group, set up by Wallsend widow Chris Knighton to provide help and support to those touched by the disease, feel so strongly about the cause they have written to their local MP and have signed an online petition.

They are also set to approach the All Party Parliamentary Asbestos committee to put across their views on the issue.

Chris said: “Our members feel very strongly about this injustice. This issue affects every one of us and hundreds more across the North East. Why should the grief and sorrow of families in England and Wales be treated any differently to our neighbours in Scotland?

“We will do everything we can to support this campaign in order to make bereavement compensation for mesothelioma victims and their families fair throughout the UK.”

Thompsons Solicitors call for a change in the law

Thompsons head of asbestos policy, Ian McFall said: “This campaign is intended to benefit families affected by mesothelioma, like those who attend the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Self Help Group. We welcome their support.

“£10,000 is a derisory sum for the grief caused by the death of a close family member. Whole families suffer terribly when they lose a loved one to mesothelioma. They carry the emotional burden with them the rest of their lives.”

We are calling for a change in the law in England and Wales to give families the right to act against a sense of grievous injustice.”

Compensation Claim Advice

If you or someone you know has developed Mesothelioma or any other asbestos related disease, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.

There are strict time limits in place to make any personal injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.

Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.