Mesothelioma Compensation and PIP

Mesothelioma compensation can help patients and their families pay for treatment costs and other expenses. Compensation can also provide financial security in the event of a patient's death.

A mesothelioma lawyer with experience has large databases of asbestos-producing companies and can identify the responsible companies based on information like work history, diagnosis and exposure sites. Compensation may come from trust funds, lawsuits or settlements.

Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS)

DMPS is a compensation scheme for patients suffering from diffuse mesothelioma. It was designed to pay those who, through negligence or in breach of statutory obligation, were exposed to asbestos at work and are unable to bring an action against their employer or the employer's Employers' Liability insurer.

Those diagnosed with the asbestos-related condition are able to apply for a lump sum, depending on their age at the time they were diagnosed. The current DMPS was introduced on 25 July 2012. It is administered by Gallagher Bassett. However, on April 1, 2018, TopMark Claims Management Ltd will manage the scheme.

The DMPS scheme will pay any person who is receiving Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, or who is the dependent of someone who has died as a result of an asbestos-related disease and has not been eligible for a mesothelioma compensatory payment under the Pneumoconiosis Act or the 2008 Diffuse Mesothelioma Compensation Scheme. If you are the dependent of a mesothelioma sufferer who has died, you must make your application within 12 months of their death.

There are some exceptions to the eligibility criteria for DMPS. This includes those who have come in contact with asbestos on a second basis such as wives washing their husbands workplace clothes, environmental exposure or those who didn't know what brought them into contact with asbestos. These people will be compensated under the DMPS scheme however, they must first seek out a mesothelioma attorney to determine if they are eligible to bring a civil lawsuit against their former employers or insurance companies.

It should be noted that DMPS will deduct any other state benefits you are receiving from your payment. DMPS money will be added to your civil case compensation. A mesothelioma lawyer can help you get the maximum amount of compensation for your case. The DMPS website suggests that you could apply for an DMPS payment yourself, but it is recommended that you do this with the assistance of a specialist mesothelioma attorney.

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB)

This is a weekly benefit for people who have been disabled due to an accident or illness at work (but not by self-employment). IIDB is a no fault scheme, which means that applicants do not need to prove their negligence through the courts. The Department for Work and Pensions assesses claims to determine if they qualify.

Depending on your level of disability, you could be paid either for life or for a fixed period. A doctor will determine the percentage of disability and will only consider the degree that it is due to a work-related injury or illness. Pre-existing conditions will not be taken into consideration, however, doctors may review their assessment if they are getting more severe.

The IIDB is not a means-tested benefit, and is tax-free. It can be paid in addition to other incapacity benefits such as Attendance Allowance or Exceptionally Serious Disability Allowance. It is also possible to supplement a lump sum payment that was made in compensation for a work-related injury or disease such as mesothelioma compensation payouts.

If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma or an asbestos-related illness and are wondering whether you're eligible to receive benefits, you should contact the Welfare Rights team of your local Citizens Advice bureau. If you're thinking of applying for benefits it is essential to seek out professional advice on welfare rights. Many people find the claim process complicated. The AdviceLocal postcode finder can assist you find an adviser for welfare rights in your area.

Claimants and their agents need to be aware of scammers who attempt to trick people into giving out personal details through text messages or emails. The government will never request you to provide your personal details by text message or email.

Diffuse Mesothelioma lump sum Payment (DMLP).

The Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS) is a compensation scheme created to pay lump sums to patients with mesothelioma diffuse. It was created in 2014 and was replaced by a similar scheme set up in 2008.

The DMPS is funded by a levy that is paid annually by insurers to cover employers the liability insurance. It is a demand-driven system, and the levy is adjusted each year to reflect any increase or decrease in the number of applicants. The levies are collected by Tracing Services Ltd and distributed to successful claimants.

A form of asbestos cancer that affects the lungs is diffuse mesothelioma entitled to financial compensation. It is a terminal disease and often incurs a poor prognosis. The DMPS scheme was designed to help those diagnosed with asbestos cancer as quickly as possible. It also provides financial support to the family of mesothelioma patients who died.

Under the DMPS individuals who have been exposed to asbestos at work will be paid an amount in one lump. This is used to cover living costs and help with the costs of treatments like chemotherapy and surgery. The DMPS lump-sum amount is determined by the age of a person who is diagnosed with mesothelioma. This ranges from PS94750 for those who are aged 37 and less to PS14,722 in the case of those who are 77 years old or over.

When it was first introduced in 2004, the DMPS was welcomed by mesothelioma sufferers as a method to fill in the gap in compensation. However, four years on, it must be asked whether it has done enough to ensure that those who have been diagnosed with this asbestos related cancer receive the compensation they are entitled to.

This is especially the case with other asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer. At present, patients of these conditions who know how they were exposed to asbestos but the employer has since been shut down and whose insurance companies are unable to be traced are unable to pursue an action for compensation in the civil court.

This isn't fair and something must be done to change this. I recently consulted a woman who developed mesothelioma and knew where she was exposed to asbestos at British Uralite in Higham, Kent. Her father was a worker for the company, and he returning home in soiled work clothes. She was able to apply for an DMPS payment of PS18,675. She is not entitled to any further settlement from her estate.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP),

You could be eligible for PIP payments if you have mesothelioma or a different asbestos-related disease. This scheme helps with the extra expenses that come when you have a disability or long-term health condition and is specifically designed to aid those who require care to be able to live independently. This is a benefit that is not tested for means that is paid to those who are or older. The amount you receive is determined by your assessment results, which takes into account the severity of your illness and your needs. You can get more information about PIP and how to apply via the DWP website. If you're unsure how to fill out your form, you can ask for help from a local Citizens Advice Group or an MS Benefits adviser.

The first step to apply for PIP is to send your application to DWP along with your medical certificate and two ID documents (a passport, UK driving licence, council tax bill or housing association tenancy agreement). You will be invited to attend an PIP Assessment. It could be at your home or at an office and can be as long as an hour. It is worth taking someone from your family or a friend along for moral support and it's a good idea bring your PIP claim form as well as medical evidence, and the DWP's "How your disability affects you" questionnaire.

At the PIP assessment, a qualified healthcare professional will ask questions about the way your health condition affects you and the amount of help and care you require to complete certain tasks. You will be required to take two tests, one on the daily living and one on mobility. You will earn points for each test. You must score at least four points to be eligible for the PIP.

If you're not satisfied with the decision you've been given regarding your PIP assessment, you can request an official review by sending an email to the DWP. This is the first thing you should do before you can appeal. It is important to get advice before challenging your PIP assessment, since the outcome could be erratic.