Asbestos ruling: Zurich says 'clear message' to claims farmers

Zurich UK General Insurance said the Court of Appeal ruling on pleural plaques has sent a "clear message to claims famers".

Steve Thomas, technical claims manager, Zurich UK GI, said: “Today's judgment draws a clear line under the issue of whether pleural plaques should be compensatable.

"The insurance industry exists to compensate people who've suffered an injury and not to pay out policyholders' money for a condition that causes no symptoms and that cannot develop into any other condition such as lung cancer or
mesothelioma. The court's decision upholds this philosophy.

"The courts have also sent claims farmers a clear message. By encouraging those exposed to asbestos to have scans to see whether they have pleural plaques for the purpose of bringing a claim, they are fuelling the compensation culture and causing people stress and worry where there was none.”