"Stuff", I note that you've had lots of views but no comment...! What must be remembered is that this case is beign pursued by a small group of insurers who have, in the past written, Employers Liability policies. These insurers are no longer trading and are in "run off". They are not collecting any premium but must manage any claims that they receive. Thus this action is driven by a desire to minimise the costs of settling claims. Thus changing what is the established - and common sense approach - to when an EL policy cover is trgiggered will have a significant effect for them, their management of limited funds, their other creditors etc etc. Not saying I agree but thought it might help to try and set out the background. I've been away so now off to see what was decided..!! Regards Phil

Phil, this is a dreadful situation. Hopefully the Supreme Court will make a judgement that is fair, just, right and proper. That is, one that will allow people who develop awful life-limiting diseases seek recompense from those who caused them to be exposed to the harm, or at least their insurers. As things stand, a poor soul who is diagnosed today with mesothelioma may be left without access to damages. If the person is retired, against whom could the claim be made? There is no current employer and even if the person is still employed, how can the current employer be found to be negligent? This also has implications for other heath issues. Consider someone today using a carcinogen at work whose employer fails to implement adequate control measures and who may develop (say) bladder or nasal cancer in years to come. The current state of the law makes it very unclear as to whether a legal remedy may be available in future, once the disease becomes evident. Similarly for noise induced hearing loss: who pays? Safety issues are more clear-cut. If a machine removes a finger the resultant effect is immediate. This is patently wrong. The financial institutions (yes, them again) are working against the wider public interest and are seeking to protect the pockets of a few. Hopefully the Supreme Court will quickly make their judgement and hopefully it will be the right one for anyone who may have their health harmed by work.