Posted By Chris Robinson
My understanding is the pleural plaque cases taken to Court of Appeal were ones where medical evidence showed there were no physical symptoms and no direct connection between these and any eventual asbestos related disease or other problems. The argument is they cause no physical symptoms and give rise only to a (not surprising) fear of what the exposure to asbestos may also lead to. In UK law fear of something does not give rise to compensation and this ruling also says the mere existence of symptomless pleural plaques does not warrant compnesation (historically the Trade Unions and solcitors had been claiming about £3000 plus legal costs for each person with "symptomless" pleural plaques). If there are symptoms caused by asbestos exposure, then compensation should be claimable if there is a known party to claim against, and negligence shown, but whether the condition showing symptoms is "pleural plaques" or is some further condition is a matter for specialist medical consideration.