Mesothelioma

Thompsons wants to see a change in the way payments are assessed so families across the UK receive compensation in line with the amount currently paid to families in Scotland.

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.

In some fatal personal injury cases Scottish juries have decided that compensation for bereavement of up to £50,000 should be paid to widows.

Recently the Scottish Parliament changed the law to make it easier for families to claim for compensation for The change was made following a campaign supported by Frank Maguire, solicitor advocate at Thompsons Scotland.

Similar Articles High Court: Lawyers must pay back millions Suffolk schools pay ou...

Read more...