Latest asbestos industry news

Asbestos victims win compensation test case

People who have cancer caused by exposure to asbestos have won an important test case.

Insurance companies had argued claims should be made against policies in place when cancer developed, not when exposure happened.

But the High Court has ruled the policy in place at the time when exposure happened was the one that should pay out the compensation.

Unions said it was a hugely important victory.

The test case was about a type of cancer called mesothelioma, which can follow exposure to asbestos. It can take up to 40 years to develop.

About 2,000 people were diagnosed with the disease last year.

Now it is expected to cost insurers millions of pounds as cases – sometimes dating back to the 1970s – come to light.

Kershaw Contracting Services is fully licensed for asbestos removal and disposal.