APIL blasts Lords' decision

Today’s House of Lords ruling is the final, devastating blow for pleural plaques victims in their fight for justice, lawyers have said.

Martin Bare, president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) said he felt extreme sympathy and sadness for the victims, and deep disappointment that the Lords had refused to recognise the trauma and suffering caused by pleural plaques.

He said: “I am absolutely staggered the Lords have dashed the hopes of these men who have been negligently exposed to asbestos. This ruling effectively tells them they have not been injured, yet their bodies have been invaded by asbestos and each day the clock is ticking."

He added: “While the insurance industry will undoubtedly celebrate this financial victory, it has come at the expense of all those victims who had faith in our justice system.”