APIL and Norwich Union have reached an agreement to put pleural plaques cases on hold pending a crucial House of Lords judgment which could affect thousands of claimants.
The insurer has agreed to extend the limitation period for any case which may be affected by the case of Rothwell v Chemical and Insulating Ltd and others, a decision which APIL chief executive Denise Kitchener has welcomed.
"This decision is a result of constructive negotiation between APIL and Norwich Union," said Kitchener, "and we are hopeful that it will reassure those suffering from pleural plaques that they will not run out of time on their cases pending the outcome of the Rothwell appeal."
In January this year the Court of Appeal, in its ruling on the Rothwell case, reversed 20 years of case law by stating pleural plaques were not a compensable condition.
APIL and Norwich Union have agreed the extended limitation period will run for 56 days after the House of Lords hands down the Rothwell judgment.
The association is hoping the agreement, which applies to all unissued and issued cases, will be taken on board by other insurers involved in plaques litigation.
"Norwich Union has effectively thrown many plaques sufferers a lifeline and we hope this goodwill will be echoed by other insurers involved in these cases," said Kitchener.
