Mesothelioma Compensation and the Royal Navy

The Ministry of Defence changed its policy on 16 December 2015 to allow service personnel suffering from mesothelioma the option to receive the lump-sum amount or a traditional war pension. The decision did not apply to all veterans already diagnosed with mesothelioma.

This included Rhod Palmer and Fred Minall, who were exposed to asbestos during their military service as well as in civilian jobs. This was a major injustice for them and their families.

The law has been modified

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that is triggered by exposure to asbestos. It can take a long time before symptoms are evident and once diagnosed, many sufferers will live for a minimum of one or two years.

It is a major step forward that the Government has made the decision to amend the law. Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma could opt to receive a pension or a lump sum of up to 140 000 francs. This is significantly higher than the average civilian compensation award.

Before the changes, members of the armed forces diagnosed with mesothelioma had access to an War Disablement Pension. However, this only provided a monthly income and was not suitable for those suffering from serious long-term diseases such as mesothelioma. The War Pension Scheme did not allow lump-sum compensation.

After a long-running campaign, aided by the Royal British Legion, Asbestos Victims Support Group Forum and the Royal British Legion, the law was changed to allow 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 also tax-free.

A mesothelioma diagnosis previously could have earned an income from wartime disability of up to PS32,000 in the event that the patient was unmarried or divorced. However, civilians who have mesothelioma can receive up to PS600,000 under the government's Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.

All veterans of the armed forces diagnosed with mesothelioma will be eligible to opt for this option. It will also be accessible to those who were exposed to asbestos during their time in the armed forces and outside of it also, referred to as 'dual exposure'.

Mesothelioma UK is already helping former soldiers, sailors and other military personnel with their mesothelioma lawsuit. We can help them to understand the new law and what is involved. We can also assist them in determining the best method to receive compensation. This could include tracing companies that are responsible for their asbestos exposure.

The lump amount will be PS140,000.

The level of compensation awarded to patients is determined by various factors, including age, the effect mesothelioma has on life expectancy and how much compensation for mesothelioma much care is required. It is also based on the effect mesothelioma's cancer has affected family members and whether or not the patient can continue to work.

Asbestos victims should seek compensation from the people responsible for their exposure to asbestos. If they are who are unable to identify the responsible parties, a government-sponsored scheme pays lump sums to those suffering of mesothelioma. The average award is PS144,000.

Previously, ex-servicemen diagnosed with mesothelioma were able to claim a war disablement pension under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme 2008. This is a monthly amount that is based on the person's age and level of disability. However, it is considerably less than civilian mesothelioma compensation that can be as high as six figures.

Fred Minall from Northampton who served in the Royal Navy as a naval engineer between 1957 and 1964 has been informed that he has the right to a lump-sum payment of PS140,000, as per the new law. Mesothelioma is an incurable lung disease caused by asbestos exposure.

Simpson Millar, a mesothelioma compensation commercial lawyer, says that this is a major victory for veterans suffering from mesothelioma. Most Navy personnel, as well as many civilians, anchored in US ports during their career and were exposed to harmful asbestos fibres. This is because of the widespread use of asbestos in American ships at the time. The signs of mesothelioma could not show up for years leaving veterans with very limited compensation options.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that veterans with mesothelioma who were not previously awarded a war pension will receive an amount of lump sum up to PS140,000. This is a significant increase over the current amount non-married mesothelioma veterans receive under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.

However this new payment will be taken from any existing war pensions an individual receives. It is crucial that anyone with mesothelioma who is considering applying for this payment seeks the advice of an experienced mesothelioma attorney to ensure they are getting the best deal.

It is a win for the Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion has delivered an uncompromising rebuke to government over claims that it has reneged on its promise to enshrine the military covenant in law. The charity has asked the minister to explain why the government is not respecting its promise to veterans. It has also threatened to withdraw from various forums where it has been working with the Ministry of Defence.

The Legion's involvement with the MoD is vital, but it needs to be more effective in order to ensure that the community is being treated in a way that can make a difference to their lives. It is crucial to improve the feedback loop in forums so that problems that aren't addressed in a consistent way are identified, and the reasons for this are made clear.

As the UK's oldest and largest Armed Forces charity, the Royal British Legion is at the heart of an entire national network that offers support to members of the Armed Forces and their families. They are also the organization which is the best placed to understand the challenges that those who serve or have served, as well as their widows and widowers.

The fact that patients with mesothelioma are often left with no financial security is one of their biggest worries. The compensation available is not always enough to cover the living expenses or medical costs, and mortgages are typically difficult to obtain.

This is particularly applicable to Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, since asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding and other Naval activities. Many veterans are struggling with the symptoms of their illness and the impact on their financial situation.

However, there are a number of organizations that can assist with this. Mesothelioma lawyers can assist in obtaining legal compensation to be used to pay for treatment and living expenses. In addition, mesothelioma sufferers can also make a claim for compensation from the companies that provided asbestos-related products.

It will be a welcome sight for veterans

The Ministry of Defence announced that Navy veterans with mesothelioma can receive a lump-sum payout of PS140,000. This will allow them to receive substantial financial support to ease the financial pressure that mesothelioma can cause their families.

Former service members who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma will welcome this news. The law has been changed so that they are paid a similar amount as civilian sufferers who have a mesothelioma compensation claim.

The change was made due to an effort by the Royal British Legion, and other groups. This led to the Prime Minster declaring that he would investigate the issue. The decision by the MoD will allow many veterans who are dying, and would have qualified for a war-related pension to pick a lump sum. This will give them the peace of mind they need as well as the financial assistance they need to live out the rest of their life.

Asbestos exposure can be linked to mesothelioma. It can take decades before symptoms begin to show up but even a single exposure can increase the chance of developing the condition. The majority of mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos while working, including in Navy shipyards. The UK law changed last year to permit people to sue employers if exposed to asbestos while working however, many veterans are still unaware that they are able to seek compensation from the government.

Mesothelioma is a debilitating disease that has no words to describe the way that it has affected so many lives. The decision by the government to tackle the unfair treatment of veterans of the military is a huge victory.

But it's not enough to end the suffering of mesothelioma patients and their families. They'll also have to seek compensation from companies that supplied the armed forces with asbestos-based products. Depending on the shipyards, bases, and ships they worked on, veterans might be eligible to make trust fund claims against a variety of corporations. This can include a variety of multinationals with a history of selling asbestos-related products to the US Navy and other branches of the Armed Forces.