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Calling on the Government to develop an Asbestos Related Disease Research Centre

The Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team was alarmed to hear that the Government has decided to remove the requirement to retain Employer’s Liability Insurance for 40 years. This is the single most important campaign for asbestos victims.

Currently It is very difficult in many cases for the Lawyers to trace insurance details of negligent companies who have exposed their workforce to asbestos. They have to rely on a voluntary code by the Association of Business Insurers (ABI). Solicitor, Dave Fisher from Rowley Ashworth Solicitors stated that in one day he received 7 responses to his searches for insurance details; in every case the details could not be traced. The official statistics are the ABI search is effective in tracing Employers' Liability Insurance in only 33% of traces relating to insurance details post 1972. Only 15% of pre 1972 traces were successful. Overall the success rate was only 28% (Non 2005-Oct. 2006).

The Government responded to the plight of asbestos victims who are unable to trace Employers' Liability insurers by paying small lump sum payments under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers Compensation) Act 1979 (1979 Act) and now the 2008 Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.

In contrast, motor accident victims who are injured by another driver who fails to hold insurance do NOT rely on government payments. The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), an insurance fund of last resort, pays full compensation where judgment is obtained against an uninsured, negligent driver.

There is an overwhelming argument in favour of insurers taking responsibility for the insurance they wrote and paying full compensation where judgment is obtained instead of the government standing in the shoes of the Employers Liability insurers paying millions of pounds in lump sum payments.

An Employers' Liability insurance fund of last resort, similar to the MIB should, be set up, an Employers' Liability Insurance Bureau (ELIB), to provide cover for Employers Liabilty insurance that cannot be traced. Press the link for a copy of a letter to send to your MP

DAST calls upon the Government to make funds available for an Asbestos Related Disease Research Centre Click for details

The Lobby outside the House of Commons on 29^th January 2008 was very well attended by representatives from support groups, those diagnosed with pleural plaques, Trade Union members and MPs. DAST was represented at the lobby. There seemed to be a lot of political support for a new law to change the unbelievable decision that those diagnosed with pleural plaques will no longer be compensated. The Scottish Parliament has stated it intends to bring in legislation to reverse the House of Lords decision. The case has been continually made that it is not unreasonable that people with pleural plaques fear that they may develop another disease. Furthermore, a visible scar is compensatable, why should a scar on the lining of the lung not be compensatable?

The construction union – UCATT have launched a postcard campaign to ask the Rt Hon Jack Straw MP to reverse the House of Lords decision as well as making it impossible for claimants to take a full and final settlement for the disease. In the past the Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team have helped people to secure compensation from the Workers’ Compensation scheme having developed mesothelioma after receiving a full and final settlement for pleural plaques. If you would like to support the campaign please contact the Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team.

The Asbestos Support Groups Forum have responded to a consultation document on pleural plaques. A further demonstration has been planned for Tuesday 23rd October 2008.

SCHOOLS EXPOSING TEACHERS AND CHILDREN TO ASBESTOS click here

Health and Safety Executive Awareness Campaign

DAST applauds the new Health and Safety Executive (HSE) initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of exposure to asbestos. The initiative is aimed at maintenance workers, particularly, plumbers, joiners, electricians. The message is clear. Asbestos is dangerous and workers should find out if asbestos is present before work starts. If asbestos is present, workers should be trained to work safetly with it. Only licenced contractors should work with sprayed coatings, board or lagging on pipes and boilers.

The HSE have provided good literature which has been targeted in trade magazines and local radio. DAST members have helped the HSE by providing their stories as a warning to others.

To find out more about the campaign http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm

http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/hiddenkiller/index.htm

Residents against Asbestos Waste (RAAW)

DAST is supporting residents in Old Whittington, Chesterfield to prevent an asbestos waste transfer site near to their residential area. DAST believes such a transfer site should be located as far away as possible from residential areas and particularly areas where children may play. RAAW are asking local people to write to the Derbyshire County Council planning department to oppose the transfer site. For more details please look at their website http://www.raaw.btik.com/

				Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team

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	HELP FOR VICTIMS AND FAMILIES OF ASBESTOS RELATED DISEASES
	Contents of this page:- Employers' Liability Insurance Calling on the Government to develop an Asbestos Related Disease Research Centre Pleural plaques update Asbestos in Schools HSE campaign Residents Against Asbestos Waste Employers' Liability Insurance The Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team was alarmed to hear that the Government has decided to remove the requirement to retain Employer’s Liability Insurance for 40 years. This is the single most important campaign for asbestos victims. Currently It is very difficult in many cases for the Lawyers to trace insurance details of negligent companies who have exposed their workforce to asbestos. They have to rely on a voluntary code by the Association of Business Insurers (ABI). Solicitor, Dave Fisher from Rowley Ashworth Solicitors stated that in one day he received 7 responses to his searches for insurance details; in every case the details could not be traced. The official statistics are the ABI search is effective in tracing Employers' Liability Insurance in only 33% of traces relating to insurance details post 1972. Only 15% of pre 1972 traces were successful. Overall the success rate was only 28% (Non 2005-Oct. 2006). The Government responded to the plight of asbestos victims who are unable to trace Employers' Liability insurers by paying small lump sum payments under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers Compensation) Act 1979 (1979 Act) and now the 2008 Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme. In contrast, motor accident victims who are injured by another driver who fails to hold insurance do NOT rely on government payments. The Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB), an insurance fund of last resort, pays full compensation where judgment is obtained against an uninsured, negligent driver. There is an overwhelming argument in favour of insurers taking responsibility for the insurance they wrote and paying full compensation where judgment is obtained instead of the government standing in the shoes of the Employers Liability insurers paying millions of pounds in lump sum payments. An Employers' Liability insurance fund of last resort, similar to the MIB should, be set up, an Employers' Liability Insurance Bureau (ELIB), to provide cover for Employers Liabilty insurance that cannot be traced. Press the link for a copy of a letter to send to your MP DAST calls upon the Government to make funds available for an Asbestos Related Disease Research Centre Click for details Fight for compensation for people with pleural plaques The Lobby outside the House of Commons on 29^th January 2008 was very well attended by representatives from support groups, those diagnosed with pleural plaques, Trade Union members and MPs. DAST was represented at the lobby. There seemed to be a lot of political support for a new law to change the unbelievable decision that those diagnosed with pleural plaques will no longer be compensated. The Scottish Parliament has stated it intends to bring in legislation to reverse the House of Lords decision. The case has been continually made that it is not unreasonable that people with pleural plaques fear that they may develop another disease. Furthermore, a visible scar is compensatable, why should a scar on the lining of the lung not be compensatable? The construction union – UCATT have launched a postcard campaign to ask the Rt Hon Jack Straw MP to reverse the House of Lords decision as well as making it impossible for claimants to take a full and final settlement for the disease. In the past the Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team have helped people to secure compensation from the Workers’ Compensation scheme having developed mesothelioma after receiving a full and final settlement for pleural plaques. If you would like to support the campaign please contact the Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team. The Asbestos Support Groups Forum have responded to a consultation document on pleural plaques. A further demonstration has been planned for Tuesday 23rd October 2008. SCHOOLS EXPOSING TEACHERS AND CHILDREN TO ASBESTOS click here Health and Safety Executive Awareness Campaign DAST applauds the new Health and Safety Executive (HSE) initiative to raise awareness about the dangers of exposure to asbestos. The initiative is aimed at maintenance workers, particularly, plumbers, joiners, electricians. The message is clear. Asbestos is dangerous and workers should find out if asbestos is present before work starts. If asbestos is present, workers should be trained to work safetly with it. Only licenced contractors should work with sprayed coatings, board or lagging on pipes and boilers. The HSE have provided good literature which has been targeted in trade magazines and local radio. DAST members have helped the HSE by providing their stories as a warning to others. To find out more about the campaign http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/index.htm http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/hiddenkiller/index.htm Residents against Asbestos Waste (RAAW) DAST is supporting residents in Old Whittington, Chesterfield to prevent an asbestos waste transfer site near to their residential area. DAST believes such a transfer site should be located as far away as possible from residential areas and particularly areas where children may play. RAAW are asking local people to write to the Derbyshire County Council planning department to oppose the transfer site. For more details please look at their website http://www.raaw.btik.com/
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