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 that a patient dies.

A reputable mesothelioma lawyer will have a large database of asbestos-producing companies and can identify responsible companies using evidence such as a history of work or diagnosis as well as exposure sites. Compensation can be derived 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 compensate those who were exposed to asbestos while at work in a negligent manner or in violation of statutory duties, and who cannot assert a claim against the employer or their Employers Liability insurance.

People who are who are diagnosed with asbestos-related conditions are able to apply for a lump sum payment according to their age when they were diagnosed. The current DMPS was introduced on 25 July 2012. It is administered by Gallagher Bassett. However, as of 1st April 2018, TopMark Claims Management Ltd will be the administrator of the scheme.

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

There are also a number of exceptions to the eligibility requirements for DMPS. This includes those who come into contact with asbestos on a second basis, such as washing their husbands work clothes, exposure to exposure to environmental hazards or did not know what brought them into contact with asbestos. They will be compensated under the DMPS scheme but they should first consult a mesothelioma lawyer to determine if they can bring a civil lawsuit against their former employers or insurers.

DMPS will deduct from your compensation any other state benefits you receive. However, any money paid through DMPS will be added to the total amount you receive in a civil case. A mesothelioma lawyer can assist you get the maximum amount of compensation in your case. The DMPS website says that you are eligible to apply for a DMPS Payment, but it is recommended that you seek out a mesothelioma specialist lawyer.

Industrial Injuries Disability Benefit (IIDB).

This is a weekly benefit paid for people who are disabled due to an accident at work or certain illnesses that are related to their job (but not self-employment). IIDB is a no fault scheme, which means that applicants do not need to prove their negligence through the courts. Instead, the Department for Work and Pensions will assess claims to determine if they are eligible.

Based on the degree of disability, you may be paid either for lifetime or for a predetermined time. A doctor will assess the percentage of your disability, and will take into consideration only the extent to that it is due to the work-related illness or injury. A pre-existing condition will not be considered but a doctor will reassess your situation if it becomes worse.

IIDB is a non-means-tested and tax free benefit that is tax free. It can be repaid on top of other benefits for incapacity, such as Attendance Allowance or Exceptionally Serious Disablement Allowance. It is a great way to supplement a lump-sum payment as a compensation for an illness or injury that was caused at work, for example mesothelioma.

If you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related pleural plaques, or any other disease, it is worth calling the Welfare Rights team at your local Citizens Advice bureau to see whether you qualify for any benefits. It is important to seek expert welfare rights advice if you are considering submitting an application as many find the process complex. The AdviceLocal postcode finder can help you locate a local welfare rights adviser.

Claimants and their representatives should be aware of scammers who try to trick people into handing personal information via texts or emails. The government will never ask you to provide your personal details by text message or email.

Diffuse Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payment (DMLP)

The Diffuse Mesothelioma Compensation Scheme (DMPS), is a compensation program that pays lump sums to patients with mesothelioma diffuse. It was established in 2014 and replaced a similar scheme set up in 2008.

The DMPS is funded by a levy each year that insurers pay for employers the liability insurance. The system is demand-driven, and the levy is adjusted annually to reflect any changes in the number or applicants. The levy is collected by Tracing Services Ltd and distributed to successful claimants.

Diffuse mesothelioma is a type of asbestos cancer that affects the lung. It is a debilitating illness with a poor outlook. The DMPS scheme was developed to help those diagnosed with asbestos-related cancer as fast as possible. It also helps relatives of a person who has passed away from mesothelioma compensation self-employed. It also provides financial support to their family members.

The DMPS offers lump sum payments to those who have been exposed to asbestos while at work. This lump sum can be used to pay for living expenses as well as to pay for treatments like chemotherapy and surgery. The amount of the DMPS lump sum is dependent on the age of a person when they are diagnosed with mesothelioma. The amount varies from PS94,750 for those aged 37 and under to PS14,722 for individuals who are 77 or over.

When it was first introduced in 2004, the DMPS was welcomed by mesothelioma patients as a means to fill the gap in compensation. But, four years later it is time to ask whether it has done enough to ensure that people who have been diagnosed with this asbestos related cancer get the compensation that they are entitled to.

This is particularly true for other asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer. Presently, those suffering from these diseases who know the place they were exposed to asbestos, but their employer has gone out of business and whose insurers cannot be located are not able to pursue an action for compensation in the civil court.

This is not fair and something has to change. I recently consulted someone who had mesothelioma. I knew where she was exposed to asbestos at British Uralite in Higham, Kent. She recalled her father working for the company, and returning home in soiled work clothes. She was eligible for a DMPS payment of PS18,675. She does not have any other claiming compensation for mesothelioma from her estate.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

If you're suffering from mesothelioma, or another asbestos-related disease, you may be entitled to a PIP payment. This program helps with the additional costs that are associated from living with an illness or disability that is a long-term condition. It is specifically designed to aid those who require care to live independently. It is a non means-tested benefit that is offered to those who are or over. The amount you receive is determined by your assessment that takes into account the severity of your condition as well as your needs. Find out more about PIP and how to apply on the DWP website. If you're not sure what to fill in your application, ask for help from a local Citizens Advice Group or an MS Benefits adviser.

The first step in applying for PIP is to send your application to the DWP with your medical evidence and two ID documents (a passport, UK driving licence, council tax bill or housing association tenancy agreement). You will then be invited for take a PIP assessment. This can be at your home or at the centre and could last up to an hour. It's a good idea to bring your family member or friend to provide moral support, and it's a good idea bring along your PIP claim form as well as medical evidence, and the DWP's "How your disability affects you" questionnaire.

During the PIP assessment, a qualified healthcare professional asks you questions regarding your health conditions and how much help and care you require to perform certain tasks. You will be given two tests, one on your daily living and another on mobility. You will receive points for each test. You must score four or more points in order to qualify for the PIP.

If you're not happy with the decision you've been given regarding your PIP assessment, you can request an obligation-based review by submitting an email to the DWP. This is the first step you should do before you can appeal. It is important to get advice prior to contesting your PIP assessment, as the outcome could be erratic.