Thompsons Solicitors support new law that will help the NHS re-claim costs of treating asbestos victims

A new bill designed to re-claim the medical costs of treating people suffering from asbestos related disease has been launched. It’s backed by leading asbestos charities, politicians and Thompsons Solicitors, Scotland’s most experienced asbestos lawyers. The Recovery of Medical Costs for Asbestos Diseases Bill will allow the NHS to claw back the enormous costs associated with caring for people who contracted industrial diseases like Mesothelioma which is caused by exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos charities estimate that over 20 million pounds a year is spent by NHS Scotland diagnosing and treating people suffering from the horrendous effects of asbestos exposure. This new bill will enable the NHS to re-coup those costs from insurance companies who have already settled civil claims with victims. The costs of treatment will be calculated from a patient’s initial diagnosis.

Laura Blane who heads Thompsons Solicitors lung disease division said ‘We at Thompsons see at first hand the toll that asbestos disease takes on victims and their families. The medical requirements of our clients are highly specialised and can be required for many years, placing an enormous financial burden on the National Health Service. It is only right that those who cause harm pay for all the consequences of that harm and we fully support this Bill to ensure that the costs of employers’ negligence in failing to deal with the danger of asbestos are met by those employers and their insurers.’

The launching of this new law is just the latest is a series of battles that Thompsons have fought and won on behalf of asbestos victims across Scotland. Hope Robertson from Clydebank lost her husband to the asbestos condition Mesothelioma. She told BBC Radio Scotland about the help and support that Thompsons gave her family as they fought for justice. 

BBC News Article: Bid to reclaim NHS asbestos costs