Mesothelioma Compensation and the Royal Navy

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

Rhod Minall and Fred Palmer were also affected due to exposure to asbestos during their military service or in civilian jobs. This was a great injustice to their families and the people they loved.

The law has been modified

Mesothelioma is an aggressive type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. The symptoms can take years to appear and, once diagnosed with the disease, sufferers are only expected to live a few more years.

It is a major step forward that the government has taken the decision to change the law. In April 2016, armed forces veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma will be able to choose whether to receive their pension or an amount of lump sum up to PS140,000. This is significantly higher than the average civilian compensation award.

Prior to the changes, veterans of the armed forces who were diagnosed with mesothelioma could only be eligible for mesothelioma benefits through a War Disablement Pension. However, this only provided a monthly income and was not suitable for those suffering from serious long-term illnesses such as mesothelioma. The War Pension Scheme did not allow lump-sum compensation.

After a long period of lobbying, which was supported by the Royal British Legion and Asbestos Victims Support Group Forum, the law has been changed to allow armed forces veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma access to an amount of up to PS140,000 in addition to the traditional War Pension. The lump sum will be tax-free.

Prior to this, mesothelioma diagnosed could have qualified a person to receive a war disability pension of up to PS32,000, regardless of whether they were divorced, single or widowed. In contrast, civilians with mesothelioma may receive up to PS600,000 under the government's Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.

The new law will be applicable to all armed forces veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma who want to pursue this option. The law will also be applicable to those who have been exposed to asbestos during their service and outside it, also referred to as "dual exposure".

Mesothelioma UK is already helping former soldiers, sailors and other service members with their mesothelioma claims. We can assist them to understand the new law and what is involved. We can also assist them in determining the best way to get compensation. This could include tracing businesses that are responsible for their asbestos exposure.

The lump sum will be PS140,000.

Compensation is determined by a range of variables, including the age of the person, their life expectancy following mesothelioma, and the amount of care required. It also takes into account the impact mesothelioma compensation self-employed's disease has had on family members and whether or not the person can work.

Asbestos victims should seek compensation from those responsible for their exposure to asbestos. For those who cannot find the responsible parties, a federal program pays lump sums of money to mesothelioma sufferers. The average award is PS144,000.

Former servicemen who were diagnosed with mesothelioma diffuse were entitled to an income for war-related disability under the Diffuse mesothelioma compensation government Scheme 2008 It is a monthly payment dependent on the person's age and the degree of their disability. But, it's much less than civilian mesothelioma compensation that can exceed six figures.

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

According to mesothelioma lawyers Simpson Millar, this is a huge victory for patients with mesothelioma. Most Navy personnel, as well as many civilians, docked in US ports throughout their careers which exposed them to harmful asbestos fibres. This is due to the frequent use of asbestos on American ships during this period. Symptoms of mesothelioma can take decades to show up, and as a result that veterans are often left with fewer options for compensation.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that veterans with Mesothelioma, who had not received an amount of war-pension, will receive up to PS140,000 as a lump-sum payment. This is a significant increase over the amount that non-married veterans suffering from mesothelioma receive under the Diffuse Mesothelioma scheme.

This new payment will however be deducted from the existing war pension that a person receives. It is imperative that anyone with mesothelioma who is considering applying for this type of payment seeks advice from an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to ensure that they are getting the best deal.

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 not acted on its commitment to make the military covenant a permanent part of in law. The charity has demanded that the minister explain why the government isn't honouring its commitment to veterans. It has also threatened to pull out of a number of forums that it has worked with the Ministry of Defence.

The Legion's engagement with the MoD is crucial but it has to be more efficient to ensure that the community is taken care of in a manner that is a real improvement to their lives. It is essential 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 UK's 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. The Royal British Legion is the best organisation to understand the issues facing those who have served as their widows or orphans and their families.

One of the major concerns of mesothelioma sufferers is that they are often left without a financial security as a result of their disease. The compensation offered is often not enough to cover the cost of treatment or living expenses, and it's often not possible to get a mortgage.

This is especially relevant to Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma since asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding and other Naval activities. Many veterans are struggling to cope with their health issues and the impact of their condition on their financial situation.

There are numerous organizations which can help. Mesothelioma lawyers can help secure legal compensation which can be used to pay to pay for treatment and living expenses. Mesothelioma sufferers can also claim compensation from the companies who supplied asbestos-containing products.

It will be a welcome sight for veterans

Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma can now to avail a lump sum of PS140,000 according to the Ministry of Defence has announced. This will allow them to receive a substantial financial assistance to ease the financial burden that mesothelioma has caused for their families.

This news will be greeted by the countless former military personnel who were diagnosed with mesothelioma. The law has been changed to allow them to be paid a similar amount to civilian sufferers with a mesothelioma compensation claim.

The change is the result of a campaign by the Royal British Legion and other groups, which resulted in the Prime Minister making a commitment to investigate the issue. The decision by the MoD will allow many dying veterans, who could have qualified for a war pension, to pick a lump sum. This will give them peace of mind and the financial assistance they need to live the rest of their lives.

Asbestos exposure can be linked to mesothelioma. Although the symptoms can take years to manifest, even one exposure can increase your risk. The vast majority of mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos while at work, including in Navy shipyards. The UK law changed in the last year to allow workers to sue employers if exposed to asbestos while working, but many veterans aren't aware that they are able to seek compensation from the government.

Mesothelioma is a terrible disease and there are no words to express the extent that it has affected so many lives. The decision by the government to tackle the discrimination against veterans of the military is a significant victory.

However, it's not enough to alleviate the suffering of veterans with mesothelioma or their families. They will also have to seek compensation from companies that supplied asbestos-related products to the armed forces. Depending on the shipyards, bases and ships that they were employed on, veterans may be able to file trust fund claims against various corporations. This can include large multinationals who have a long history of selling asbestos-related products to the US Navy or other branches of the military.