Mesothelioma Compensation and the Royal Navy
On 16 December 2015, the Ministry of Defence changed their policy to allow service personnel diagnosed with mesothelioma to choose whether they want to receive a lump sum or traditional war pension. However, the change was not applicable to all veterans who had already been diagnosed with mesothelioma.
This includes Rhod Palmer and Fred Minall, who were exposed to asbestos in their military service as well as in civilian jobs. This was a terrible injustice to their families and the people they loved.
The law has been modified
Mesothelioma, an aggressive terminal cancer caused by asbestos exposure can take years to develop. It can take decades for symptoms to show and, once diagnosed, the majority of sufferers have a life expectancy of only one or two years.
It is a significant move that the Government has decided to amend the law. In April 2016, armed forces veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma will have the option to choose whether to receive a pension or to take a lump sum amounting to PS140,000. This is significantly higher than the average civilian compensation award.
Before the changes, members of the armed forces who were diagnosed with mesothelioma had access to a War Disablement Pension. However, this only provided an income that was regular and monthly, and was not suitable for those suffering from serious long-term diseases such as mesothelioma. Furthermore, it was not possible to obtain lump sum compensation under the War Pension Scheme.
After a lot of lobbying, which was supported by the Royal British Legion and Asbestos Victims Support Group Forum, the law has been amended to allow veterans of the armed forces diagnosed with mesothelioma to access a lump sum amounting to PS140,000, in addition to the traditional War Pension. The lump sum will be tax-free.
Prior to this, a mesothelioma diagnose would have qualified a person for a war-related disability pension of up to PS32,000, regardless of whether they were divorced, single, or widowed. In contrast, civilians with mesothelioma can receive up to PS600,000 in the government's Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.
The new law will apply to all veterans of the armed forces diagnosed with mesothelioma who want to take up this option. It is also accessible to those who were exposed to asbestos both during their military service and also outside of it also, referred to as 'dual exposure'.
Mesothelioma UK has already started helping former sailors and other military services personnel with mesothelioma claims. We can help them understand the new law and what is involved. We can also assist them in determining the best way to get compensation. This includes tracing companies that are accountable for their exposure to asbestos.
The lump sum amount will be PS140,000
The amount of compensation given to sufferers is based on various factors, such as age, the impact mesothelioma has on life expectancy and the amount of care required. The amount of compensation paid to sufferers is based on several factors such as age, the impact mesothelioma will have on life expectancy and how much care they need.
Asbestos victims must seek compensation from asbestos exposure responsible parties. For those who are not able to locate the responsible party the government scheme will pay lump sums to those suffering of mesothelioma. The average amount paid is about PS144,000.
Former servicemen diagnosed with mesothelioma diffuse weren't entitled to the pension for war disabilities under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme 2008 It is a monthly payment that is based on the age of the individual and the degree of their disability. This is a lower amount than the mesothelioma civil settlement, which could be in the six figures.
Fred Minall from Northampton who served in the Royal Navy as a naval engineering officer between 1957 and 1964 has been informed that he is entitled to a lump sum payment of PS140,000, as per the new law. mesothelioma compensation claims suffers from mesothelioma, an incurable lung disease caused by exposure to asbestos.
Simpson Millar, a mesothelioma lawyer, believes that this is a major victory for veterans who have mesothelioma. The majority of Navy personnel as well as a lot of civilians, were docked at US ports throughout their career where they were exposed harmful asbestos fibres. This is due to the extensive use of asbestos on American ships in the current. The signs of mesothelioma could not appear for decades and leave veterans with a only a few options for compensation.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that mesothelioma patients who have never received a war pension will be offered a lump sum of up to PS140,000. This is a significant improvement over the current amount that non-married veterans with mesothelioma receive under the Diffuse Mesothelioma scheme.
This new payment will however be taken out of the current war pension that a person receives. It is imperative that anyone suffering from mesothelioma who is considering applying for this benefit seeks the advice of an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to ensure that they get the best deal.
It's a win for Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion has issued a stinging criticism of the government for failing to keep its promise to legislate the military covenant. The charity has asked the minister to explain why the government is not honoring its pledge to veterans. It has also threatened to pull out of various forums in which it has been working with the Ministry of Defence.
Engagement of the Legion with the MoD is vital but it has to be more effective to ensure that the community's needs are met in a manner that has a significant impact on their lives. It is crucial to improve the feedback loop in forums so that problems that aren't addressed in a consistent manner are recognized and the reasons behind this are explained.
The Royal British Legion, as the UK's largest and oldest Armed Forces Charity, is at the centre of a larger network that offers support to members of the Armed Forces. The Royal British Legion is the most effective organisation to comprehend the issues that confront those who served as soldiers, their widows and orphans and their families.
The fact that patients with mesothelioma are often left with no financial security is among their main concerns. The amount of compensation offered isn't always enough to cover the living expenses or medical costs and mortgages are usually difficult to get.
This is especially true for Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, as asbestos was used in shipbuilding and other Naval activities. This has left many veterans struggling with the symptoms of their disease and the impact it has on their financial health.
However, there are a number of organisations that can help with this. For instance, mesothelioma lawyers can help to secure legal compensation for sufferers, which can be used to pay for treatment or cover the essential expenses of living. Additionally, mesothelioma patients are also able to file an application for compensation from the companies that provided asbestos-related products.
Veterans will be delighted.
The Ministry of Defence announced that Navy veterans with mesothelioma can receive a lump-sum payout of PS140,000. The Ministry of Defence announced that Navy veterans with mesothelioma are able to access an amount of PS140,000 in a lump sum.
This news will be greeted by the thousands of former military personnel who were diagnosed with mesothelioma. The law has changed to allow them to receive the same amount of compensation as civilians with mesothelioma claims.
The change is a result of a campaign by the Royal British Legion and other groups, which led to the Prime Minister agreeing to examine the issue. The U-turn by the MoD will allow many dying veterans, who would have qualified for a war-related pension to choose lump amount. This will provide them with the peace of mind they require as well as the financial assistance they need to live out the rest of their life.
Asbestos is associated with mesothelioma. It can take years for symptoms to manifest however even a single exposure can increase the likelihood of developing the condition. The majority of mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos at work, including in Navy shipyards. The UK law was amended in the last year to allow workers to claim compensation from employers if they were exposed to asbestos while working, but many veterans aren't aware that they can seek compensation from the government.
Mesothelioma is a devastating disease that has no words to describe the way it has affected many lives. The government's decision to address the discrimination against veterans of the military is a huge victory.
However, it's not enough to end the suffering of mesothelioma patients and their families. They will also have to seek compensation from the companies that supplied asbestos products to the military. Veterans may be able to file trust fund claims with a variety of different corporations depending on where they worked, including bases, shipyards, and ships. This could include multinational corporations who have a long history of selling asbestos products to the US Navy or other branches of the military.