Death could lead to claims revival
In a saddening case, a cancer victim who died from an industrial disease has urged the government to help other sufferers.
The victim, 59, was diagnosed with pleural plaques in 2000 and earlier this year was told he had only six months to live, after developing the asbestos related cancer, mesothelioma.
The worker was diagnosed after years of working with asbestos as a thermal insulation engineer on various Teesside industrial estates.
Before his death, the victim visited London to lobby MPs about the illness, and took a provisional compensation settlement of £1,500 for pleural plaques. However, he refused to take a full settlement so that he could claim for mesothelioma if it developed.
The brave victim made a video, calling on the Government to restore compensation to pleural plaque sufferers.
He asked for the reform, because a change in the law in 2007 means that sufferers can only qualify for a compensation claim when diagnosed with mesothelioma.
The video was screened at the Trade Union Congress conference this week, in which he pleaded with ministers to support the unions in their attempts to help fellow sufferers.
The video, called Hope, outlines the reasons why unions are calling for compensation for pleural plaque sufferers to be reinstated after it was ended by the House of Lords.
Before his death, he said: “When I was diagnosed with pleural plaques I panicked. It felt like my death certificate had been signed and I knew it would only be a matter of time before I was told I had mesothelioma. I worried about it ever since.
“I never expected to get cancer so quickly. I thought I had decades left. I am living proof that pleural plaques can lead to mesothelioma and I want the Government to take what has happened to me into consideration.
“Pleural plaques sufferers should be compensated for the damage to their lungs and the worry of the death sentence hanging over them.”
He added that the government must reform the compensation act for sick workers: “They should receive that compensation quickly.”
Gordon Brown stated that an announcement on pleural plaque compensation will be made when Parliament resumes in the autumn.
GMB regional secretary Tom Brennan said: “Tragically, far too many of our members have suffered in the same way. His tale is a reminder of what the fight for compensation is about and we will not back down until we have justice.”
Asbestos claims
Alan Ritchie, general secretary of Ucatt, said that the union will expend all of its efforts to have the right to compensation reinstated.
Ritchie stated that the government needs to realise the full impact of asbestos and to grant justice to workers affected by the unforgiving disease.
He commented: “The government must understand that if they want to be seen as the champions of social justice then they must restore full compensation.”
According to Health and Safety Executive statistics, around 4,000 people die each year as a result of diseases caused by work with asbestos.
Worryingly, experts have predicted that in 2011- 2015 there will be an estimated 1950-2450 deaths per year, due to asbestos.
Updated on 24/09/2009