Thompsons Solicitors is launching a national campaign to achieve justice for asbestos families across the UK.
The law firm is demanding equality for families affected by asbestos in England and Wales after it was revealed they are receiving tens of thousands of pounds less in compensation than their Scottish counterparts.
In England and Wales the level of compensation is set at £10,000 by law and is only payable to the spouse but yet in Scotland payments up to £30,000 have been made to bereaved widows.
Other family members in Scotland can also receive compensation between £10,000 to £15,000.
Thompsons head of asbestos policy, Ian McFall said: “The law must be changed to ensure families in England and Wales are entitled to the same level of compensation for bereavement as the equivalent family in Scotland. Any imbalance is unjust and cannot continue.”
In England and Wales the amount of compensation paid to bereaved spouses is set at just £10,000 by the Fatal Accidents Act 1976. However, in Scotland the level of bereavement payments is decided by the courts, which look at each individual case on its merits. Compensation can also be paid to children, siblings, grandchildren, parents and common law partners.
Recently the Scottish Parliament changed the law to make it easier for families to claim for compensation for mesothelioma. The change was made following a campaign supported by Frank Maguire, solicitor advocate at Thompsons Scotland.
