Home / Health / End of Unfairness: Full Asbestos Payouts for Families
End of Unfairness: Full Asbestos Payouts for Families
3 Nov
Summary
- Dependants now receive full compensation previously denied.
- Claimants receive up to £56,656, a significant increase.
- New law applies to claims made from October 31, 2026.
As of October 31, 2026, a new law has been enacted to rectify a long-standing disparity in compensation for asbestos-related diseases. Bereaved families will now receive the full amount of compensation their loved ones would have been entitled to, ending a previous system where dependants received significantly less.
Previously, if a worker diagnosed with diffuse mesothelioma died before claiming, their dependants received an average of £7,000 less than the sufferer. For example, a 60-year-old claimant could receive £56,656, but an eligible dependant would only get £24,526 if no claim was made before death.
This change, announced on October 31, means dependants will now receive the full £56,656. Ministers have stated this rectifies a "longstanding unfairness in the system" and provides greater support to families. Campaigners have celebrated this as a significant victory after decades of advocacy.
The reform applies to new dependant claims made from October 31, 2026, and is not eligible for retrospective claims. Similar changes are expected in Northern Ireland. The Health and Safety Executive continues its priority of preventing future harm from asbestos.
