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 decide whether they want to receive a lump sum or traditional war pension. The decision, however, was not applicable to all veterans who had been diagnosed with the disease.

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

The law has been modified

Mesothelioma is a deadly, terminal cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos, can take decades to manifest. It can take years before symptoms are evident and once diagnosed, many sufferers will live for a minimum of just one or two years.

The decision of the Government to amend the law is a huge step in the right direction. Veterans who are diagnosed with mesothelioma could choose to receive their pension, or a lump sum of up to 140 000 francs. This is substantially more than the average civilian compensation award.

Before the changes, armed forces veterans who were diagnosed with mesothelioma could only receive the War Disablement Pension. It was a regular monthly income and was not appropriate for those suffering from severe chronic illnesses like mesothelioma. The War Pension Scheme did not provide lump-sum compensation.

After intensive lobbying, supported 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 diagnosed with mesothelioma the right to lump sums of up to PS140,000 in addition to the traditional War Pension. The lump sum is tax-free.

Previously, a mesothelioma diagnosis was a valid reason to receive an income from wartime disability of up to PS32,000 in the event that the patient was unmarried, divorced or widowed. Contrary to this, civilians diagnosed with mesothelioma may receive up to PS600,000 under the Government's Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.

The new law will be applicable to all veterans of the armed services diagnosed with mesothelioma and who wish to pursue this option. It is also available to those who were exposed to asbestos both during their time in the armed forces and in other circumstances, known as 'dual exposure'.

Mesothelioma UK is already helping former sailors, soldiers and other service members with their mesothelioma claims. We can assist them to understand the new laws and the implications. We can also assist them in determining the best way to get compensation. This includes tracing companies that could be accountable for their exposure to asbestos.

The lump sum will be PS140,000.

The level of compensation awarded to patients is determined by a range of factors including age, the effect mesothelioma has on the lifespan and the amount of care required. It also takes into account the impact pleural mesothelioma compensation's disease has had on family members and whether or not the individual can work.

Asbestos victims must seek compensation from the asbestos exposure responsible parties. If they are who are unable to identify the responsible parties the government scheme will pay an amount in lump sum to patients of mesothelioma compensation fund. The average amount is around PS144,000.

In the past, ex-servicemen who were diagnosed with mesothelioma would only claim a war disablement pension under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme 2008. This is a monthly payout that is based on the age of the individual and the extent of their impairment. But, it's a significantly smaller sum than mesothelioma compensation for civilians, which can reach six-figures.

Fred Minall, 74 from Northampton, who served as an engineer in the naval sector of the Royal Navy between 1957 and 1965, has now been informed that he will be entitled to an amount of PS140,000 in one lump sum under the new law. Mesothelioma is an incurable lung disease caused by asbestos exposure.

Simpson Millar, a mesothelioma lawyer, believes this is a huge victory for veterans with mesothelioma. The majority of Navy personnel and a large number of civilians, were docked at US ports throughout their careers in which they were exposed to harmful asbestos fibres. This is due to the widespread use of asbestos on American ships at this time. The signs of mesothelioma could not show up for years leaving veterans with very only a few options for compensation.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that Mesothelioma sufferers who had never received a war-pension, will be offered up to PS140,000 in a lump-sum payment. This is a significant improvement on the current amount that non-married veterans with mesothelioma receive under the Diffuse Mesothelioma scheme.

However this new payment will be taken from any existing war pension an individual receives. It is imperative that anyone suffering from mesothelioma who is considering applying for this benefit seek advice from a seasoned mesothelioma attorney to ensure they get the best deal.

It's a win for Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion has issued an angry critique of the government over not keeping its pledge to legislate the military covenant. The charity has asked the responsible minister to explain the reasons for refusing to honor its pledge to veterans and has threatened to withdraw of a number of forums in which it cooperates with the Ministry of Defence.

The Legion's involvement with the MoD is important, but it needs to be more productive in order to ensure that the community is being taken care of in a manner that makes a real difference to their lives. It is essential that the feedback loop in forums is improved in order that any issues that are consistently not addressed are identified and the reasons behind this are clearly explained.

As the country's oldest and largest Armed Forces charity, the Royal British Legion is at the core of the national network that provides support to members of the Armed Forces and their families. They are also the group that is best placed to understand the issues faced by those who serve and have served as well as their widows and widowers.

The fact that patients with mesothelioma are often left with no financial security is among their main worries. The amount of compensation offered isn't always enough to cover living expenses or medical expenses, and mortgages are typically difficult to obtain.

This is especially applicable 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 health issues and the effects of their condition on their financial status.

There are a variety of organizations that can help. 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. Additionally, mesothelioma patients may also file an application for compensation from companies who supplied asbestos-related products.

Veterans will welcome it

The Ministry of Defence announced that Navy veterans with mesothelioma are able to get a lump-sum payment of PS140,000. The Ministry of Defence has announced that Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma will be eligible to access a lump sum of PS140,000.

Former service personnel who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma will be delighted by this news. The law has changed to allow them to receive the same amount of compensation like civilians with mesothelioma lawsuits.

The change is a result of campaigning by the Royal British Legion and other groups, which led to 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 pick lump sum. This will provide them with peace of mind and the financial assistance they require to continue living their lives.

Asbestos exposure can be linked to mesothelioma. It can take a long time for symptoms to appear but even a single exposure can increase the likelihood of developing the disease. The vast majority of mesothelioma Compensation how much sufferers were exposed to asbestos while working, which includes in Navy shipyards. The UK law was changed last year to allow people to claim compensation from employers if they were exposed to asbestos in the workplace however, many veterans are not aware that they can seek compensation from the government.

Mesothelioma is a devastating illness that has affected many lives. The decision of the government on how to handle the unfair treatment of veterans is an enormous victory.

However, it is not enough to alleviate the suffering of veterans suffering from mesothelioma as well as their families. They will also have to seek compensation from companies that supplied asbestos products to the armed forces. Veterans may be able file trust fund claims with several different corporations depending on where they worked, such as 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 military.