These are scars on the “Pleura”, an envelope-like lining between the lung and the rib-cage filled with lubricating liquid. The pleura’s function is to help reduce friction and wear and tear on the lung itself.

Pleural plaques are symptomless because the scars occur on the side of the pleura nearest the ribcage (parietal pleura) and so do not impair lung function. The condition is also benign and so non-cancerous. Plaques will not themselves turn into one of the more serious asbestos related conditions mentioned below. They are however, a marker of a significant level of asbestos exposure and often cause patients anxiety due to the worry that because of this exposure, they could later develop one of the more serious asbestos related conditions below.

Following the decision of the House of Lords of 17th October 2007 in the test case litigation of Rothwell v Chemical & Insulating Co Ltd and Others (in which we acted for one of the 4 Appellants) it is no longer possible to pursue a claim for pleural plaques alone.

On 3 August 2010 the Government announced it will be making “an extra-statutory payment” of £5,000.00 to selected individuals who have had pleural plaques diagnosed as a result of exposure to asbestos and who attempted to claim damages for the condition prior to the 17^th October 2007.

To apply you need to contact the Ministry of Justice by telephone on 0300 303 8150 or online at www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/pleural-plaques-compensation-scheme.htm.

You should be aware that only one application can be made under this scheme and that the application must be submitted by the 1^st August 2011 to be eligible. Once the application has been made you need to send the Ministry of Justice a pack of documents certified by your solicitor as being true copies of the original documents. These documents need to be submitted within 30 days of your application or else your application will fail.