Bill could damage Scottish economy and taxpayer, according to director Nick Starling.
The ABI has responded today's publication of the Damages Bill, relating to asbestos-related conditions by the Scottish Parliament.
Nick Starling, director of General Insurance and Health at the ABI, said: “There is medical agreement, as today’s Bill confirms, that pleural plaques are symptomless, do not impact on a person’s health and do not develop into asbestos-related diseases. To compensate for pleural plaques would fly in the face of accepted medical opinion, the Law Lords ruling and common sense.
“This Bill doesn’t respond to the anxieties people have about pleural plaques. Instead of legislation the Government should be leading an education campaign to reassure those with plaques.
“The Scottish Parliament must now scrutinise this proposal very carefully. It risks considerable damage to the Scottish economy and imposing a significant cost on the Scottish taxpayer.”
