Mesothelioma vs. lung cancer: legal discrepancy raises concerns

On International Workers’ Memorial Day (28 April), industrial disease experts rallied for a crucial change to legislation to ensure all victims of asbestos-related lung cancer contracted at work receive full compensation, equal to those suffering from mesothelioma.

Asbestos continues to pose a significant threat in the workplace, with it being the leading cause of work-related deaths in the UK.

Daniel Easton, an industrial disease expert from the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), highlights the challenges faced by victims, stating, “It can be many years after contact with asbestos in the workplace that symptoms of asbestos-related lung cancer begin to develop.” He emphasises the difficulty in tracing former employers responsible for exposure due to business closures and lost insurance records.

Under the current law, sufferers of work-related mesothelioma receive full compensation, even if not all former employers can be traced. However, this provision does not extend to lung cancer claims, despite legal similarities between the two diseases. Easton stresses, “There is absolutely no justification for treating sufferers of asbestos-related lung cancer any differently from sufferers of mesothelioma.”

The urgency of the matter is underscored by the limited time available to victims. Easton explains, “People with a terrifying, terminal illness obviously do not have the luxury of time to find the records themselves.” He urges lawmakers to extend the same considerations to victims of asbestos-related lung cancer as they did for mesothelioma sufferers.

The campaign for legislative change is a matter of equity and justice for those affected by asbestos-related illnesses. As Easton concludes, “Victims of asbestos-related lung cancer need and deserve the same consideration” afforded to mesothelioma sufferers. It’s a call to action on behalf of those facing the devastating consequences of workplace exposure to asbestos.

Image: Provided by APIL.

Emma Cockings Emma is a content editor for Claims Media. Emma is a experienced writer with a background in client-centric personal injury for a major firm. She has attended and reported on multiple brokerage events throughout her career.