The BBC reported that Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) have backed changes in the law to help asbestos related cancer sufferers to claim compensation.
They introduced new measures in December to remove the dilemma facing mesothelioma sufferers, whether to claim damages for themselves, or wait so that relatives could claim more after their death.
Sufferers have been able to lodge compensation claims since 20 December even though the Mesothelioma Damages Bill is not yet law.
In an unprecedented move, Deputy Justice Minister Johann Lamont announced at the committee's meeting on 13 December that the bill would be amended to enable sufferers to benefit from its provisions a week later.
Sufferers have, from diagnosis, an average life expectancy of just 14 months.
The bill will allow both the sufferer and their families to seek benefits.
The convener of the Justice 1 Committee, Pauline McNeill, said: "The legislation will remove the dilemma faced by mesothelioma sufferers, enabling both the sufferer and their family to receive fair recompense.
"In considering the bill, the committee learned of the significant number of mesothelioma sufferers who had been postponing settling their claims so that they would be able to benefit from the terms of the legislation.
"Witnesses representing mesothelioma sufferers argued that the bill should apply retrospectively, so as to enable sufferers to pursue their claims now."
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