LEADING industrial illness lawyer Adrian Budgen has slammed a Government decision to axe a requirement for firms to keep employer's liability insurance records for 40 years.
Mr Budgen, who is based at the Sheffield office of national law firm Irwin Mitchell, says the decision is 'outrageous' because industrial diseases such as mesothelioma - which is caused by exposure to asbestos - can take years to develop.
"The Government is trying to save money on regulation administration.
"Yet the TUC has highlighted that the administrative burden imposed on employers is greatly offset by the benefit to those who may be injured or made ill as a result of employer negligence," said Mr Budgen.
"Over 2,000 people in the UK die each year from mesothelioma, which can take up to 40 years to develop.
"It will become extremely difficult, if not impossible, for sufferers to claim from their former employers, if this law is passed."
Mr Budgen says the requirement was only imposed eight years ago because employers were failing to keep adequate records.
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