278.A “dependant” of a person who, immediately before his death, suffered from a relevant disease can bring a claim under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers Compensation) Act 1979. Section 3 of that Act sets out the meaning of a “dependant”. Section 3(1) of that Act sets out an order of priority for determining which “dependant” may bring a claim in each case.
279.Section 59 amends the 1979 Act so that civil partners, children of civil partners, a person who was living with a sufferer as if husband and wife and a person who was living with a sufferer as if they were civil partners are included within the meaning of “dependant”.
280.Section 59(3) removes a provision which, in certain circumstances, prevents a person from bringing a claim as a “dependant” where he or she and a person suffering from a relevant disease were living together as husband or wife in Scotland.