Rough justice for asbestos victims

OLDHAM East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has criticised Government plans to force mesothelioma sufferers to pay their legal costs out of damages.

She said it was unjust that sufferers had to pay up when the defendant was found guilty.

Victims receive compensation of an average £65,000. Under Government plans a claimant’s lawyer could receive 25 per cent while the insurer could take an additional uncapped amount.

Mrs Abrahams said: “The principle of forcing the claimant to pay their legal costs out of their damages instead of the losing defendant paying, as currently happens, is counterintuitive to justice.

“Why are the defendants, who have been found culpable, not liable for these fees?

“It has been a general principle that victims of industrial disease or illness should be compensated to put them back in the position they were before they were harmed.”

Almosy 70 people across the borough have died from the asbestos-related cancer since 1981.

Mrs Abrahams added: “This bill reduces the liabilities of the defendants and their insurers and shifts it on to the victims.”