800 Atomic veterans bring class action against the MOD (5/3/08) :
Veterans have joined together internationally in a class action against the MOD after they claim they were made ill by British nuclear tests in the Indian and Pacific Oceans in the 1950s. The deadline passed on 3 March for veterans to join the class action, one of the largest compensation cases against the MOD, and lawyers are preparing to take the case to court in January 2009. 800 veterans are involved in the case, 450 of which are still alive. 400 of the veterans/veterans families being represented are from the UK and 300 from the Commonwealth, New Zealand and Fiji.
HSE warns over care of vulnerable people
The Health and Safety Executive has reminded those who care for vulnerable people of their duty of care they have to towards these people. The warning follows the death of an elderly resident at St. George's Park Care Centre, Telford. Ashbourne Ltd which ran the centre has been fined £35,000.
Pleural plaques
On March 12, there was the following exchange in the House of Commons at Prime Minister's Questions:
Mr. Stephen Hepburn (Jarrow) (Lab) : The Prime Minister will be aware of the disgraceful plight of pleural plaque sufferers in this country, who are being denied their rightful claim to compensation by the courts. Does he agree that it does not matter how the issue is dressed up: pleural plaques are a working-class industrial injury caused by negligent exposure to asbestos? Will he meet the group of MPs who have been campaigning on the issue, so that we can bring an end to this dreadful, Victorian scandal?
The Prime Minister : I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising the House of Lords judgment, which now has to be answered. Asbestosis and mesothelioma are terrible diseases, and all of us who have seen the effects that they cause know that we have to do more to help the victims of those diseases. On pleural plaques, we are looking at the matter at this very moment. We will publish a consultation document soon. We are determined to take some action, and I am very happy to meet his delegation.
Leo Abse & Cohen continues to fully support the rights of those suffering from pleural plaques to recover compensation and would continue to urge readers to sign our online petition, if not already done so.
'Milestone' on Welsh laws reached (19/3/08) :
MPs approved the new power to legislate on additional learning needs without having a vote. The order is set to be rubber-stamped by the Privy Council and is due to receive Royal Assent in April. The learning needs measures are the first of their kind directly devolved to the Welsh Assembly Government and could see the start of additional Wales - specific legislation being passed in the future.
Coroner reform changes published (31/3/08) :
Justice Minister Bridget Prentice has announced changes to the draft Coroners Bill. The Government's original plans to reform the coroner system were set out in the draft Coroners Bill in 2006 and the announced changes have been made following the Government's consultation process.