A growing number of MPs are calling for the Government to enact legislation to force insurers to compensate people suffering from pleural plaques.

As we reported on 23rd October, the House of Lords has ruled that, although pleural plaques is a recognised medical condition, it is symptomless and hence cannot be the subject of a compensation claim.

It is understood that over 35 MPs have joined forces with trade unions who are lobbying the Government to pass legislation to compensate victims. There are calls for an insurers' fund to be created from which compensation can be paid.

The insurance industry are concerned and will have one eye on what happened following a related ruling by the House of Lords in May 2006. Then the House of Lords ruled that someone who had developed mesothelioma following exposure to asbestos dust by several employers must seek proportionate compensation from each. Following pressure from MPs and trade unions, this decision was effectively overturned by the Compensation Act 2006 which stated that 100% of the compensation could be claimed from any of the defendants.

Claimant lawyers are pressing for a change in the law as many sufferers of pleural plaques develop anxiety illnesses whilst they wait to see if their exposure to asbestos will develop into mesothelioma and yet they are currently unable to be compensated for such conditions.