Kroll wins case for asbestos sufferers
Business recovery experts have helped asbestos-riddled employees win a major case against insurers who refused to pay out employer-liability claims following a decision in the High Court.
Link: Payouts due for asbestosis sufferers
Partners at business recovery firm Kroll brought the case forth on behalf of employees from beleaguered engineering firm Turner & Newell, a subsidiary of Federal & Mogul, which went into administration in October 2001.
Central to the administration is recovering money for T&N employees who contracted asbestos after working at the company’s UK plants, as they are creditors.
On Friday the court ordered insurance companies Royal & Sun Alliance and Lloyds to cover insurance claims for employers from T&N from 1972 to 1995.
This significant decision is a major step towards enabling a group of former employees of T&N, who are now sick with asbestos-related diseases, and the relatives of those who have already died, to obtain compensation from the insurers. Many future claimants will also benefit.
Simon Freakley, joint administrator in the case, said: ‘This resounding decision is excellent news for fomer employees of T&N. UK employee claims should now be able to progress.’
The insurers have brought a further action to avoid their asbestos liabilities.