To provide that certain asbestos-related conditions are actionable personal injuries; and for connected purposes.
The purpose of the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) Bill is to treat certain asbestos-related conditions as actionable personal injuries. Under the Bill, people who have negligently been exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with pleural plaques, would be able to pursue claims for compensation through the courts. The Bill was first introduced in the House of Commons by Andrew Dismore, Labour MP for Hendon, as the Damages (Asbestos-Related Conditions) Bill. It had a second reading, committee stage, report stage and a third reading. The Bill covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Bill received Royal Assent on 17 April 2009.Key areasSomeone suffering from pleural thickening or asbestosis would not have to prove that asbestos-related condition was causing impairment of their physical condition to claim damages on the basis of personal injury. Someone seeking a particular level of damages on the basis of physical impairment would have to prove that level of injury. The legislation would have retrospective effect, except in cases where claims had already been settled or legal proceedings already commenced.
House of Lords
8 April 2010
May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.
This bill would allow people who have been negligently exposed to asbestos and later diagnosed with certain asbestos-related conditions to sue for damages as a personal injury. It covers pleural plaques, pleural thickening and asbestosis, and would let claimants avoid proving that their condition has impaired their overall health to claim, while those seeking impairment-based damages would still need to prove the extent of impairment. The bill applies to England, Wales and Northern Ireland and has retrospective effect, with exceptions for settled claims or ongoing proceedings.
Originated in the Lords; completed the 1st and 2nd readings and is currently at Committee stage in the Lords.
Generated 21 February 2026
19 Nov 2009
5 Feb 2010
5 Mar 2010
Line by line examination of the Bill took place during committee stage on 5 March. Amendments discussed covered clauses 1 to 4 of the Bill.
The 2009-10 session of parliament has prorogued and this Bill will make no further progress.
No recorded votes for this bill yet.
