HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will have to change its policy on providing work histories to coroners, following an initial ruling on the HMRC attempt to judicially review a request by a Liverpool coroner.
“This is a welcome decision, which will stop some of the delays and uncertainty that have been forced on bereaved families seeking to claim compensation following the death of loved ones,” said Matthew Stockwell, president of APIL.
This decision will provide a route, through the coroner, for some families to obtain the deceased’s work history, which is often essential in attempts to find the source of asbestos exposure that led to the death.
“Further arguments in the judicial review, which challenge HMRC’s refusal to allow families direct access to the work histories, will be equally crucial in ensuring that all those who suffer a negligent bereavement, including dying from asbestos exposure, are able to seek justice without the additional hurdles and costs that HMRC are trying to force upon them,” added Matthew.
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