Mesothelioma Compensation and the Royal Navy

On the 16th of December, 2015, the Ministry of Defence changed their policy to allow service members diagnosed with mesothelioma to choose whether they want to receive a lump sum or traditional war pension. But the decision was not applicable to all veterans who had already been diagnosed with the disease.

This included Rhod Palmer and Fred Minall, who were exposed to asbestos in their military service as well as civilian jobs. This was a huge injustice to their families and the people they loved.

The law has changed

Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of terminal cancer that is triggered by exposure to asbestos. It can take a long time for symptoms to show and once diagnosed, many sufferers have a life expectancy of one or two years.

The Government's decision to change the law is a significant step forward. Veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma may decide to receive a pension, or a lump-sum of up to 140 000 francs. This is a much more substantial amount than the typical civil award.

Prior to the changes, veterans of the armed forces who were diagnosed with mesothelioma could be eligible for the War Disablement Pension. This was an income per month, which was not suitable for those suffering from severe 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 diagnosed with mesothelioma to receive a lump sum up to PS140,000 in addition to the traditional War Pension. The lump sum is also tax-free.

Previously, a mesothelioma diagnosis was a valid reason to receive a war-related disability pension of up to PS32,000 if the person was single, divorced or widowed. Civilians with mesothelioma, however are eligible for PS600,000.000 under the government's Diffuse Mesothelioma program.

The new law will be applicable to all armed forces veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma who want to avail 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 referred to as "dual exposure".

Mesothelioma UK has already started helping former sailors and other military personnel of the military with mesothelioma lawsuits. We can help them to understand the new law and what is involved. We can also help them to find out about the best method to get compensation. This can include tracing the companies that could be responsible for their exposure to asbestos.

The lump sum will be PS140,000

Compensation is determined by a variety of variables, including the age of the person, their life expectancy following mesothelioma, and the amount of care required. 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 have to seek compensation from the asbestos exposure responsible parties. However, for those who are unable to identify the responsible parties, a government-sponsored scheme pays lump sums to those suffering of mesothelioma. The average amount paid is approximately PS144,000.

Former servicemen diagnosed with diffuse mesothelioma were only able to claim the pension for war disabilities under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme 2008 This is a monthly payment based on the individual's age and degree of disability. This is a much smaller amount than the civilian mesothelioma 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, under the new law. Mesothelioma is an incurable lung disease that is caused by asbestos exposure.

According to mesothelioma attorneys, Simpson Millar, this is an enormous victory for patients with mesothelioma. Most Navy personnel, like many civilians, anchored in US ports during their careers which exposed them to asbestos-related toxins. This is due to the widespread use of asbestos on American ships at the time. The symptoms of mesothelioma may not show up for years leaving veterans with very limited compensation options.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that mesothelioma patients who were not previously awarded an entitlement to a war pension will now be offered a lump sum amounting 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 be subtracted from the current war pension an individual receives. This means it is important that anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma and contemplating applying for this payment seeks advice from seasoned mesothelioma attorneys to ensure they get the best deal.

It is a victory for the Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion has issued a stinging criticism of the government for allegedly failing to keep its promise to legislate the military covenant. The charity has urged the responsible minister to explain the reasons for reneging on its commitment to veterans and has threatened to withdraw of several forums in which it engages with the Ministry of Defence.

The Legion's engagement with the MoD is vital however, it must be more effective to ensure that the community is being looked after in a way that is a real improvement to their lives. It is crucial to improve the feedback loop in forums to ensure that any issues that aren't addressed in a consistent way are identified, and the reasons for this are made clear.

As the oldest and largest Armed Forces charity, the Royal British Legion is at the center of an entire national network that offers assistance to members of the Armed Forces and their families. They are also the group which is the best placed to understand the issues that those who serve, have served and their widows and widowers.

One of the most significant problems for mesothelioma sufferers is that they are frequently left without a financial security because of their disease. The compensation that is available is often not enough to cover the cost of care or living expenses, and it's usually not feasible to obtain a mortgage.

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

However there are a lot of organisations that can help in this. For instance, mesothelioma attorneys can help to secure legal compensation for patients, which can be used to pay for treatment or to cover essential living costs. Patients with mesothelioma can also claim compensation from companies that supplied asbestos products.

Veterans will be delighted.

Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma are eligible to receive a lump sum of PS140,000 according to the Ministry of Defence has announced. This will enable them to receive a substantial financial assistance to ease the financial burden that mesothelioma can cause their families.

Former service members who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma army compensation will be delighted by this news. The law has been amended so that they are paid the same amount as civilian sufferers with mesothelioma compensation claims.

The change is the result of a campaign by the Royal British Legion and other groups, which resulted in the Prime Minister pledging to investigate the issue. The U-turn by the MoD will help many veterans who are dying, and could have qualified for a war pension to receive lump amount. This will give them peace of heart and the financial support they require to live the rest of their lives.

Asbestos exposure is associated with mesothelioma. It can take years for symptoms to appear but even a single exposure can increase the likelihood of developing the condition. The majority of mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos while at work, including in Navy shipyards. In the past year, the UK law was amended to permit employees who were exposed to asbestos in the workplace to sue their employers. However many veterans are not aware that they could be eligible for compensation from the government.

Mesothelioma is a debilitating cancer and there aren't words to express the extent that it has affected so many lives. The decision by the government on how to handle the unfair treatment of veterans 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-related products to the military. Veterans may be able file trust fund claims with several different corporations, based on the place they worked, including bases, shipyards, and ships. This could include a number of multinational corporations that have been known to sell asbestos-related products to the US Navy and other branches of the Armed Forces.