Thousands of workers suffering from pleural plaques after being exposed to asbestos at work have lost their claim for compensation.
The Court of Appeal this morning overturned the right of pleural plaque sufferers to receive compensation for the condition after deciding that claimants have no physical symptoms other than the scarring to their lungs.
The judgement follows a lengthy legal test case, in which the High Court in Manchester found in favour of the claimants, but insurance companies appealed the decision in November.
Pleural plaques are areas of thick scar tissue, which form in the chest lining and diaphragm.
At least 200 people in the North-East were awaiting the result of the test case before pursuing their own claim for compensation.
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