Man waits for compensation over asbestos exposure

A man is awaiting compensation for his exposure to asbestos, it has been revealed.

Great-grandfather Arthur Woodhead thought he would not be able to receive money for his pleural plaques after the Law Lords cancelled the right for sufferers three years ago, the Evening Chronicle reports.

However, recently justice secretary Jack Straw announced that a scheme was to be implemented to provide cash to people with the medical condition who had put in a claim before 2007.

Such people are to get payments of £5,000, the politician noted.

Commenting on the development, Mr Woodhead said it was "really great news".

The former welder is still waiting to hear about when he will get the money and he said the process should be speeded up.

Pleural plaques is a form of scarring of the outer lining of the lungs and it is one of a number of medical conditions associated with previous exposure to asbestos.

Other such diseases include mesothelioma and asbestosis.