MSP WELCOMES REJECTION OF ASBESTOS APPEAL BY INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

MSP WELCOMES REJECTION OF ASBESTOS APPEAL BY INSURANCE INDUSTRY.


West of Scotland SNP MSP Stuart McMillan has welcomed the rejection of the legal bid by insurance companies to prevent the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Act 2009 coming in to force. Axa, Norwich Union, Royal & Sun Alliance and Zurich Insurance were hoping to prevent the Act until a full-scale legal challenge could be heard in court. However, Lord Glennie yesterday (Monday) rejected the bid. Commenting Mr. McMillan said: “I am delighted these insurance companies are not being allowed to stand in the way of justice for asbestos related conditions sufferers. “It was the will of the Scottish Parliament that has allowed this Act to come in to force and to attempt to overturn this was a ridiculous action to take on the part of the insurance companies. “The insurers argued that the legislation was in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights but what about the rights of those exposed to asbestos through their employers negligence? "Furthermore, the value of damages awarded to each pleural plaque sufferer is negligible compared to the 1.2m Euros that the Chief Executive of Axa Insurance earns and the $57.2m that the 12 members of the Group Executive of Zurich Insurance earn. “I am pleased this legislation will come in to force in June and hope this will bring an end to the injustice suffered by many”.