Diagnosed With Pleural Plaques? Scotland Gives You the Right to Claim.
Pleural plaques are discrete, calcified deposits on the pleural lining of the lungs caused by past asbestos exposure. They are typically asymptomatic — they do not themselves cause breathlessness or functional impairment — but they are important as evidence of significant asbestos exposure and as markers of increased future risk of developing more serious conditions including mesothelioma and asbestosis.
In England and Wales, the House of Lords ruled in Rothwell v Chemical & Insulating Co Ltd [2007] that pleural plaques alone are not actionable damage. The Scottish Parliament responded by enacting the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Act 2009, which provides that pleural plaques constitute actionable harm in Scotland. This means Scottish workers retain the right to claim compensation that their English counterparts do not have.
Scottish Claims Helpline handles pleural plaques claims across Scotland on a no win no fee basis. There is no financial risk to you.
How Much Could You Receive?
| Condition | Typical Award |
|---|
| Pleural plaques alone | £8,350 - £17,380 |
| Pleural plaques with significant anxiety | Higher within bracket |
Based on Judicial College Guidelines for general damages.
That’s not all. Where pleural plaques are accompanied by anxiety about the risk of developing a more serious asbestos-related condition, this is factored into the award. If symptoms develop — breathlessness, reduced lung function — a higher award reflecting asbestosis or pleural thickening may be appropriate.
Who Can Claim?
Any person diagnosed with pleural plaques as a result of occupational asbestos exposure in Scotland can claim. This includes former shipyard workers, construction workers, plumbers, electricians, boilermakers, joiners, laggers, school teachers and caretakers who worked in asbestos-containing buildings. Claims can be brought against former employers who have ceased trading, through their employers’ liability insurers.
Pleural Plaques Claims — Frequently Asked Questions
Pleural plaques compensation under the Judicial College Guidelines ranges from £8,350 to £17,380 in general damages. Where plaques are accompanied by anxiety about developing a more serious asbestos condition, this is factored into the award. Scottish courts apply an adjustment of approximately 9% below England and Wales figures.
Yes. Unlike in England and Wales, pleural plaques are compensatable in Scotland under the Damages (Asbestos-related Conditions) (Scotland) Act 2009. The Scottish Parliament specifically legislated to restore this right after it was removed by the House of Lords in Rothwell v Chemical & Insulating Co Ltd [2007].
Pleural plaques are discrete, calcified deposits on the pleural lining of the lungs caused by past asbestos exposure. They are typically asymptomatic but are important as evidence of significant asbestos exposure and as markers of increased risk of developing more serious conditions including mesothelioma and asbestosis.
3 years from the date of diagnosis under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973. If you have recently been diagnosed, you are likely still within time even if the asbestos exposure was decades ago. Contact us as soon as possible after diagnosis.
Yes. Employers’ liability insurance policies can be traced through the ELTO database and claimed against even if the employer ceased trading decades ago. Our solicitors are experienced in tracing historic insurers for defunct Scottish employers.
How Do I Start My Claim?
It takes 2 minutes. Fill in our short form and one of our specialist Scottish solicitors will call you back at a time that suits. They will listen to what happened, tell you straight away if you have a claim, and explain exactly how much you could receive — all completely free and with no obligation. If you decide to go ahead, everything is handled for you on a no win no fee basis from start to finish. You pay nothing unless you win.
About this page: Written by David Gildea, Scottish Claims Helpline. Reviewed by a qualified Scottish solicitor specialising in asbestos disease litigation. Last reviewed February 2026. Scottish Claims Helpline is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (
FRN 830381).