Norwich Union insurance fighting claim

In a test case, insurers are arguing against compensation for asbestos victims who have not yet developed serious illness.

Norwich Union insurance and Zurich have stated that having pleural plaques (scarring of the lungs from asbestos) did not in itself cause harm, though it opens the possibility of future serious disease.

Frank Burton QC, representing ten claimants, defended their claims.

"A claimant told that he has a plaque feels worried and feels anxious . . . The concern is an obvious one; it is a deterioration of health and a fear of death," he said.

He added: "Compensation has been paid for more than 20 years on the basis that pleural plaques are an injury."

Should the defendants win, Norwich Union insurance and other insurers will withhold payment from sufferers of pleural plaques, which are usually around £5,000.

The case continues.