Thompson launches asbestos claims department

By DavidHiggerson on Apr 25, 07 10:58 PM

A CITY law firm has set up a new department to deal exclusively with asbestos-related compensation claims.

Thompson Solicitors is also launching a national campaign to achieve justice for asbestos families across the UK, after it was revealed that bereaved families in England and Wales are receiving tens of thousands of pounds less in compensation than their Scottish counterparts.

FOR more information about Thompsons Solicitors Justice for Asbestos Families Campaign, log on to www.thompsons.law.co.uk/ campaigns/justice-for-asbestos-families.htm

The small team of four specialist lawyers expects to take up a growing number of cases over the next few years as asbestos-related claims peak.

In Scotland, awards of up to £30,000 have recently been made to widows, and £10,000 each to other family members.

However, in England and Wales, the level of compensation is limited to £10,000 and is only paid to the husband or wife of the deceased.

Ann Hines lost her husband, David, to mesothelomia in 2005 after a career working with asbestos.

She was recently awarded the £10,000 maximum compensation.

She said: “It is about getting justice.

“You can’t put a value on anyone’s life, but the law seems to do that.

“Compensation is awarded to how old a person was when they died, or where they live.

“I was one of the luckier ones because some widows still have dependent children or mortgages. I do feel there should be some kind of tribunal process that fixes the amount payable.

“I was summoned to court and had the worry of taking the stand hanging over me. Victims and their families shouldn’t have to go to court in this day and age.�?

Thompsons says it wants to see a change in the way bereavement payments are assessed so families across the UK receive compensation in line with the amount currently paid to families in Scotland.

Diana Fos, head of Thompson’s North West asbestos offices, said: “We have always dealt with asbestos cases, but now we have set up a team of specialists we can concentrate the work into a few people’s hands rather than more generally.�?

Of the campaign, she said: “The law must be changed to ensure families in England and Wales are entitled to the same level of compensation for bereavement as the equivalent family in Scotland. Any imbalance is unjust and cannot continue.�?