The Most Worst Nightmare Concerning Mesothelioma Compensation Royal Navy Relived
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 decide whether to receive a lump sum or a traditional war pension. The change was not applicable for all veterans who were already 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 great injustice to their families and the people they loved.
The law has been changed
Mesothelioma is a deadly, terminal cancer caused by asbestos exposure, can take decades to develop. The symptoms can take several years to appear and, once diagnosed with the disease, sufferers are expected to live a few more years.
It is a significant step forward that the Government has made the decision to amend the law. From April 2016, veterans of the armed services diagnosed with mesothelioma can choose to choose whether to receive their pension or receive a lump sum of up to PS140,000. This is significantly higher than the average civilian compensation award.
Prior to the changes, armed forces veterans who were diagnosed with mesothelioma were able to receive a War Disablement Pension. It was an income per month, which was not suitable for those suffering from severe chronic diseases like mesothelioma. In addition it was not possible to access 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 who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma access to a lump sum up to PS140,000, in addition to the traditional War Pension. The lump sum is tax-free.
A mesothelioma diagnosis previously would have been eligible for a war disablement pension of up to PS32,000 if the person was single divorced, widowed or divorced. In contrast, civilians with mesothelioma are eligible for up to PS600,000 in the government's Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.
All veterans of the armed forces diagnosed with mesothelioma will be eligible to select this option. It is also accessible to those who were exposed to asbestos both during their armed forces service and 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 assist them to understand the new laws and what they entail. We can also assist them in determining the best way to receive compensation. This can include tracing the companies that may be responsible for their exposure to asbestos.
The lump amount will be PS140,000.
Compensation is determined by a number of variables, including age, life expectancy following mesothelioma as well as the amount of care needed. The amount of compensation awarded to patients is determined by a range of factors including age, the effect mesothelioma will have on life expectancy and the amount of care they require.
Asbestos victims should seek compensation from those responsible for their exposure to asbestos. However, for those unable to find those responsible the government scheme will pay lump sums to those suffering of mesothelioma. The average award is approximately PS144,000.
Prior to this, ex-servicemen diagnosed with mesothelioma could only be eligible for a war-related disability pension under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme 2008. This is a monthly payout based on an individual's age and their level of disablement. This is a lower amount than the civilian mesothelioma settlement, which could be in the six figures.
Fred Minall from Northampton who worked in the Royal Navy as a naval engineer between 1957 and 1964 was informed that he is entitled to a lump sum payment of PS140,000 under the new law. He 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, docked at US ports throughout their careers where they were exposed to harmful asbestos fibres. This is due to the widespread use of asbestos on American ships in the current. The symptoms of mesothelioma may take a long time to manifest and, as a consequence the patients are often left with only a few options for compensation.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that mesothelioma patients who have not been previously granted an army pension will receive an amount of lump sum up to PS140,000. This is a significant improvement on the current amount that veterans who are not married with mesothelioma receive under the Diffuse Mesothelioma scheme.
However this new payment will be taken from any existing war pension that an individual is entitled to. It is imperative that anyone with mesothelioma who is thinking about applying for this payment seeks advice from an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to ensure that they get the best price.
It is a victory for the Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion has delivered an enraged rebuke to the government over claims that it has reneged on its promise to establish the military covenant in law. The charity has demanded that the minister explain why the government is not honouring its commitment to veterans. It has also threatened to withdraw from several forums in which it has been working with the Ministry of Defence.
Engagement of the Legion with the MoD is essential however, it needs to be more productive to ensure that the needs of the community are addressed in a manner that has a significant impact on their lives. It is essential to improve the feedback loop on forums to ensure that issues that aren't addressed consistently are understood and the reasons behind this are clearly explained.
The Royal British Legion, as the UK's biggest and oldest Armed Forces Charity, is situated at the heart of a nationwide network of support for members of the Armed Forces. They are also the organisation that is the most suited to comprehend the challenges faced by those who are serving, have served and their widows and widowers.
One of the major problems for mesothelioma sufferers is that they are often left without financial security as a result of their illness. The compensation offered is typically not enough to cover the costs of living or medical expenses, and it is typically not feasible to get a mortgage.
This is especially relevant to Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, because asbestos was utilized in shipbuilding and other Naval activities. Many veterans are struggling to cope with the symptoms of their disease and the impact on their financial situation.
There are a variety of organizations that can help. For instance, mesothelioma lawyers can assist in obtaining legal compensation for sufferers. This can be used to pay for treatment or cover essential living costs. In addition, mesothelioma victims can also make claims for compensation from companies who supplied asbestos-related products.
Veterans will welcome it
Navy veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma can now to receive a lump sum of PS140,000 as the Ministry of Defence has announced. This will enable them to receive a substantial financial support to ease the financial burden that mesothelioma has caused for their families.
This news will be welcomed by the thousands of former military personnel who were diagnosed with mesothelioma. The law has been changed so that they are paid the same amount as civilian sufferers with mesothelioma compensation claims .
The change is the result of the campaigning of the Royal British Legion and other groups, which resulted in the Prime Minister pledging to investigate the issue. The change made by the MoD will help many veterans who are dying, and would have qualified for a war-related pension to receive the lump sum. This will give them peace of mind and the financial assistance they need to continue living their lives.
Asbestos exposure is linked to mesothelioma. Although symptoms can take years to show up, just one exposure could increase your risk. The vast majority of mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos while at work, which includes Navy shipyards. In the past year, the UK law was changed to allow workers who were exposed to asbestos at work to sue their employers. However, many veterans are unaware that they could be eligible for compensation from the government.
Mesothelioma has been a terrible illness that has had a devastating impact on many lives. The government's decision on how to deal with the unfair treatment of veterans is a huge victory.
However, it's not enough to stop the suffering of veterans with mesothelioma or their families. They'll also have to seek compensation from companies who supplied the military with asbestos products. Veterans may be able file trust fund claims with a variety of different corporations based on where they worked, which could include shipyards, bases, and ships. 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.