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Case paves the way for higher compensation for elderly victims
In February 2012, the High Court gave an important ruling on compensation for pain and suffering that could result in higher levels of compensation for elderly victims of long-latency industrial diseases like mesothelioma:
Dennis Ball, aged 92, was awarded £50,000 compensation for pain and suffering after developing the disease following his work for the National Coal Board and British Coal Corporation. The defendant — the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change — had argued that Mr Ball should receive a lower level of compensation because of his age and short life expectancy. This ruling confirms that regardless of the amount of time an individual is expected to live following diagnosis, they should be appropriately compensated for their pain and suffering.
Dennis Ball v Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change [2012] EWHC 145