Mesothelioma Compensation and the Royal Navy

On the 16th of December, 2015, the Ministry of Defence changed their policy to allow military personnel diagnosed with mesothelioma to choose whether they want to receive a lump sum or a traditional war pension. The decision did not apply to all veterans who had been already diagnosed with mesothelioma.

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 a fatal and aggressive cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos, can take decades to manifest. It can take years for symptoms to manifest and, once diagnosed, the majority of sufferers will live for a minimum of only one or two years.

The government's decision to alter the law is a huge step in the right direction. 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 mesothelioma benefits through a War Disablement Pension. This was a limited benefit that only offered an income that was regular and monthly, and 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 amended to give veterans of the armed forces diagnosed with mesothelioma to receive an amount of lump sums up to PS140,000, addition to the traditional War Pension. The lump sum will also be tax-free.

Previously, a mesothelioma diagnosis could have earned a war-related disability pension of up to PS32,000 if the patient was single, divorced or widowed. Contrary to this, civilians diagnosed with mesothelioma are eligible for up to PS600,000. This is under the government's Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.

All members of the armed forces who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma will be able to opt for this option. The law will also apply to those who have been exposed to asbestos during their service and outside it, also known as "dual exposure".

Mesothelioma UK is already helping former soldiers, sailors and other service members with their mesothelioma lawsuit. We can help them to understand the new law and what's involved. We can also assist clients to determine the best way to obtain compensation. This could include tracing companies that are accountable for their asbestos exposure.

The lump sum will be PS140,000.

The level of compensation awarded to patients is determined by several factors, like age, the impact mesothelioma has on the lifespan and the level of care required. The amount of compensation awarded to patients is determined by various factors, including age, the effect mesothelioma will have on life expectancy and the amount of care they require.

Asbestos victims must seek compensation from asbestos exposure responsible parties. If they are unable to locate the responsible parties, a government program pays lump sums to mesothelioma patients. The average award is PS144,000.

Former servicemen diagnosed with mesothelioma diffuse weren't eligible 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 level of disability. But, it's a significantly smaller sum than the mesothelioma settlement for civilians, which can reach six-figures.

Fred Minall from Northampton who worked in the Royal Navy as a naval engineering officer between 1957 and 1964 was informed that he is entitled to a lump sum payment of PS140,000, as per the new law. He is suffering mesothelioma which is an incurable lung condition caused by exposure to asbestos.

Simpson Millar, a mesothelioma lawyer, believes this is a major victory for veterans who have mesothelioma. Most Navy personnel, along with many civilians, docked in US ports during their career which exposed them to harmful asbestos fibres. This is due to the extensive use of asbestos in American ships during this time. The signs of mesothelioma could not appear for decades, leaving veterans with limited compensation options.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that veterans with Mesothelioma who have not previously been awarded a war-pension, will be offered up to PS140,000 in a lump-sum payment. This is a substantial improvement over the current amount that non-married veterans with mesothelioma receive under the Diffuse Mesothelioma scheme.

This new payment will be deducted from the existing war pension an individual receives. It is crucial that anyone suffering from mesothelioma who is considering applying for this payment seeks advice from an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to ensure that they get the best price.

It is a win for the Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion has delivered an enraged rebuke to the government over claims that it has reneged on its promise to make the military covenant a permanent part of in law. The charity has asked the responsible minister to explain the reason for not delivering on its promise to veterans and has threatened to withdraw from a variety of forums in which it cooperates with the Ministry of Defence.

Engagement of the Legion with the MoD is essential but it has to be more effective to ensure the community's needs are met in a way that has a positive impact on their lives. It is crucial to improve the feedback loops on forums to ensure that issues that are not addressed consistently are understood, and the reasons for this are made clear.

As the oldest and largest Armed Forces charity, the Royal British Legion is at the heart of the national network that provides assistance to members of the Armed Forces and their families. The Royal British Legion is the most effective organization to understand the challenges that confront those who served as their widows or orphans, and their families.

The fact that mesothelioma patients are usually left without financial security is among their biggest issues. The compensation that is available is usually not enough to cover the cost of care or living expenses, and it is typically not feasible to get a mortgage.

Asbest was used in shipbuilding in addition to other Naval activities. Many veterans are struggling to cope with their symptoms and the effects of their condition on their financial situation.

There are several organisations that can help. For instance, mesothelioma lawyers can help to secure legal compensation for sufferers, which can be used to pay for treatment or the essential expenses of living. Patients with mesothelioma can also claim compensation from the companies who supplied asbestos-containing products.

Veterans will welcome it

Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma will be able to access a lump sum of PS140,000 as the Ministry of Defence has announced. The Ministry of Defence has announced that Navy veterans with mesothelioma will be able to access the lump sum of PS140,000.

This news will be welcomed by the countless former service personnel diagnosed with mesothelioma. The law has been changed so that they are paid a similar amount to civilian patients who have mesothelioma compensation claims.

The change was made as a result of a campaign by the Royal British Legion, and other groups. This resulted in the Prime Minister agreeing to investigate the issue. The MoD's U-turn will allow many dying veterans who were eligible for pensions to choose a lump-sum. This will give them peace of mind and the financial support they need to live out the rest of their lives.

Asbestos exposure can be linked to mesothelioma. Although the symptoms can take decades to manifest, even one exposure can increase the risk. The majority of mesothelioma sufferers were exposed to asbestos at work, including at Navy shipyards. In the past year, the UK law was amended to allow workers who were exposed to asbestos at work to sue their employers. However, many veterans are unaware that they may be entitled to compensation from the government.

Mesothelioma is a devastating cancer and there aren't words to express the way it has affected many lives. The decision by the government on how much compensation do you get for mesothelioma to deal with the unfair treatment of veterans is an enormous victory.

However, it is not enough to end the suffering of veterans with mesothelioma as well as their families. They also need to seek compensation from companies that supplied asbestos-related products to the military. Veterans may be able to file trust fund claims with a variety of different corporations depending on where they worked, which could include bases, shipyards and ships. This could include a range of multinational corporations that have been known to sell asbestos-related products to the US Navy and other branches of the armed forces.