Mesothelioma Compensation and the Royal Navy
The Ministry of Defence changed its policy on 16 December 2015 to give service members suffering from mesothelioma the option to receive an amount in lump sum or a traditional war pension. The decision did not apply to all veterans who had been already diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Rhod Minall and Fred Palmer were also affected, due to exposure to asbestos in their military service or at civilian jobs. This was a huge injustice for them as well as their families.
The law has been amended
Mesothelioma is a severe type of cancer that develops from exposure to asbestos. It can take decades before symptoms are evident and, once diagnosed, the majority of sufferers live a lifespan of only one or two years.
It is a major step forward that the government has taken the decision to amend the law. Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma could choose to receive their pension, or a lump-sum of up to 140 000 francs. This is a significantly higher compensation than the average civil award.
Before the changes, veterans of the armed forces diagnosed with Mesothelioma were only granted access to the War Disablement Pension. It was a monthly income, which was not suitable for people with serious chronic diseases like mesothelioma. In addition it was not possible to obtain lump sum compensation under the War Pension Scheme.
After a long-running campaign, aided by the Royal British Legion, Asbestos Victims Support Group Forum and the Royal British Legion, the law was amended to give veterans of the armed forces diagnosed with mesothelioma the right to lump sums of up to PS140,000 in addition to the traditional War Pension. The lump sum is tax-free.
Prior to this, mesothelioma diagnosed could have qualified someone to receive a war disability pension up to PS32,000, regardless of whether they were single, divorced, or widowed. Civilians with mesothelioma, on the other hand could receive as much as PS600,000.000 under the government's Diffuse Mesothelioma scheme.
All members of the armed forces who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma are eligible to select this option. The law will also apply to those who've been exposed to asbestos during their military service and also outside of it, also known as "dual exposure".
Mesothelioma UK is already helping former soldiers, sailors and other service members with their mesothelioma claims. We can help them to be aware of the new law and what is involved. We can also assist them in determining the best way to receive compensation. This could include tracing the companies that may be accountable for their exposure to asbestos.
The lump sum amount will be PS140,000
Compensation is determined by a number of variables, including age, life expectancy following mesothelioma, and the amount of care needed. The amount of compensation given to patients is determined by several factors such as age, the impact mesothelioma can have on life expectancy, and the amount of care they require.
Asbestos victims must seek compensation from the people responsible for their exposure to asbestos. For those who cannot locate the responsible parties, a government program pays lump sums of money to mesothelioma sufferers. The average award is PS144,000.
Prior to this, ex-servicemen diagnosed with mesothelioma would only receive a war disabled pension under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme 2008. It is a monthly payment dependent on the person's age and the extent of their impairment. This is a much smaller amount than the mesothelioma civil settlement, which is in six figures.
Fred Minall, 74 from Northampton Fred Minall, who worked as an engineer in the naval sector of the Royal Navy between 1957 and 1965, has now been informed that he is entitled to an amount of PS140,000 in one lump sum under the new law. Mesothelioma is an incurable lung disease caused by exposure to asbestos.
According to mesothelioma lawyers Simpson Millar, this is an enormous win for veterans with mesothelioma. Most Navy personnel, along with many civilians, were docked in US ports throughout their careers and were exposed to asbestos-related toxins. This is due to the widespread use of asbestos on American ships at the time. Mesothelioma symptoms can take a long time to show up, and as a result the patients are often left with only a few options for compensation.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that mesothelioma sufferers who have not been previously granted a war pension will be offered a lump sum amounting to PS140,000. This is a significant increase from the current amount that non-married mesothelioma veterans receive under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.
This new payment will however be taken out of the current war pension that an individual receives. As a result, it is crucial that anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma contemplating applying for this payment seeks the advice of experienced mesothelioma lawyers to ensure they get the right deal.
It's a win for Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion has delivered an uncompromising rebuke to government over claims that it has not acted on its promise to make the military covenant a permanent part of in law. The charity has urged the minister responsible to explain the reasons for refusing to honor its pledge to veterans and has threatened to pull out of a number of forums where it works with the Ministry of Defence.
The Legion's involvement with the MoD is important however, it must be more efficient in order to ensure that the community is being looked after in a way that makes a real difference to their lives. It is therefore vital that the feedback loop in forums is improved so that all issues that are not addressed are identified and the reasons behind this are clearly explained.
As the oldest and largest Armed Forces charity, the Royal British Legion is at the center of a national network that provides assistance to members of Armed Forces and their families. The Royal British Legion is the only organisation to comprehend the issues facing those who have served as their widows or orphans and their families.
One of the biggest issues for mesothelioma patients is that they are frequently left without a financial security as a result of their disease. The compensation offered is typically not enough to cover the costs of care or living expenses, and it's typically not feasible to get a mortgage.
This is particularly true for Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, since asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding and other Naval activities. Many veterans are struggling with their symptoms and the effects of their illness on their financial status.
However there are a lot of organizations that can assist with this. Mesothelioma lawyers can help secure legal compensation which can be used to pay to pay for treatment and living expenses. Patients with mesothelioma can also claim compensation from companies that supplied asbestos products.
Veterans will welcome it
The Ministry of Defence announced that Navy veterans with mesothelioma are able to access a lump-sum payment of PS140,000. The Ministry of Defence announced that Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma are able to access a lump sum of PS140,000.
Former service personnel who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma are sure to appreciate this news. The law has been amended to allow them to be paid a similar amount as civilian sufferers with a mesothelioma compensation claim.
The change is a result of campaigning by the Royal British Legion and other groups, which led to the Prime Minister making a commitment to look at the issue. The MoD's U-turn will allow a number of dying veterans who would have been entitled to a pension to choose a lump-sum. This will give them peace of heart and the financial help they require to continue living their lives.
Asbestos has been linked to mesothelioma. Although symptoms can take decades to show up, just one exposure can increase your risk. mesothelioma compensation scheme of mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos while working, including in Navy shipyards. The UK law was changed in the last year to allow workers to claim compensation from employers if they were exposed to asbestos in the workplace However, many veterans aren't aware that they are able to seek compensation from the government.
Mesothelioma is a devastating illness that has affected many lives. The government's decision on how to deal with the unfair treatment of veterans is an enormous victory.
However, it's not enough to alleviate the suffering of veterans who have mesothelioma or their families. They'll also have to seek compensation from companies that supplied the armed forces with asbestos products. Based on the shipyards, bases, and ships they worked on, veterans might be eligible to make trust fund claims against a variety of corporations. This could include a number of large multinationals that have been known to sell asbestos-related products to the US Navy and other branches of the military.