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New bill to compensate asbestos victims
28/05/2008
Women who developed mesothelioma after washing their husbands' work-clothes which were covered in asbestos fibres are to be able to claim compensation.
The mesothelioma compensation bill, introduced by Northern Ireland social development minister Margaret Richie, has passed the second stage towards becoming law.
Under the changes, it will not be necessary for people to prove an occupational or causal link to the substance before contacting solicitors to organise compensation claims.
Ms Richie said this was breaking new ground because it would allow a new group of sufferers to claim a lump sum in compensation.
Between 40 and 50 people die from the condition in Northern Ireland each year and the condition can develop even as much as 40 years after exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma occurs when malignant cells develop in the protective lining over the body's organs.
The cancer is almost always caused by exposure to the substance and reduces the average sufferer's life expectancy to nine months.
Contact us for legal advice
The mesothelioma compensation bill, introduced by Northern Ireland social development minister Margaret Richie, has passed the second stage towards becoming law.
Under the changes, it will not be necessary for people to prove an occupational or causal link to the substance before contacting solicitors to organise compensation claims.
Ms Richie said this was breaking new ground because it would allow a new group of sufferers to claim a lump sum in compensation.
Between 40 and 50 people die from the condition in Northern Ireland each year and the condition can develop even as much as 40 years after exposure to asbestos.
Mesothelioma occurs when malignant cells develop in the protective lining over the body's organs.
The cancer is almost always caused by exposure to the substance and reduces the average sufferer's life expectancy to nine months.
Contact us for legal advice
