Pleural Plaques

These are raised areas of thickened pleura, the lining of the chest wall.
They are the least serious asbestos related disease as generally they do not cause you any problem although you are normally at a 1 – 5% risk of developing a further asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma or asbestosis.
These are not usually detected until around 10 – 20 years after you were first exposed to asbestos and are detected on x-rays or CT scans. These are often performed when you are being investigated for some other unrelated condition.

Diagnosis, symptoms and treatments

Pleural plaques do not cause any symptoms except in the rarest of situations.
Patients are usually being investigated for some other problem when pleural plaques are spotted on either a chest x-ray or a CT scan.
Pleural plaques themselves will not change into another asbestos related condition; however there is evidence that a patient with pleural plaques is at an increased risk of going on to develop mesothelioma.
Due to pleural plaques not giving rise to any symptoms and in them are not life threatening there are currently no treatments available.
Patients are advised to attend for regular check ups in order that the pleural plaques can be monitored and to rule out the development of any other asbestos related condition. Often this calls of repeat x-rays every 6-12 months.
In 2006 the Court of Appeal ruled that pleural plaques are no longer a condition which attracts compensation. This was appealed to the House of Lords.
In October 2007 the House of Lords agreed with the Court of Appeal and the long established ability to claim for pleural plaques came to an end.
Following much lobbying of the Government Gordon Brown announced a consultation process to look at ways in which sufferers may be compensated.
A consultation process ended in October 2008, we are unlikely to receive any firm commitment from the Government until late 2009.

Pleural Plaques Scheme Registration
You might be entitled to Compensation as part of the Pleural Plaques Scheme.

The Government has announced it is looking into overturning the House of Lords decision not to compensate sufferers of the asbestos related condition known as pleural plaques.
A scheme is the most likely the approach that is going to be taken. It is therefore vital that you register your interest now as time limits may apply.
If you have been diagnosed with pleural plaques and you have not previously received compensation for your condition please complete the form below as best as you are able.

It is important to note that the decision of the House of Lords only applies to pleural plaques and NOT any other asbestos related condition.

Click to go to our online claim form