UK Ruling Forces Insurers to Pay Mesothelioma Victims

A historic ruling in a UK court will allow thousands of families who have been affected by mesothelioma to receive compensation through their insurance companies.

The Supreme Court ruled this week that families with relatives who were killed by mesothelioma will be eligible to receive compensation through the insurance companies that were covering them at the time.

The judgment comes after years of litigation involving four insurance companies that had been attempting to skirt payments that were owed to 6,000 families with individuals who passed away from mesothelioma. The insurers argued that employer liability only covered instances when cancerous tumorsbegan developing while the victim was still employed, not the asbestos exposure that likely led to the development of the tumors decades later, Business Week reported.

However, the Supreme Court ruled that insurance coverage at the time of asbestos exposure will qualify the sickened individuals, and their families, to the insurance payouts they deserve. The 6,000 families may receive settlements totaling £6 million (958 million U.S. dollars). Up to 25,000 families may be affected by the ruling due to future claims, and could potentially up the total settlement figure to approximately £5 billion ($7.9 billion), according to The Independent.

If you or a loved one has been exposed to asbestos and now suffers from mesothelioma, there may be legal actions at your disposal to get the mesothelioma settlement that is deserved. Call Sokolove Law to learn more about pursuing a mesothelioma claim today. 

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