Mesothelioma Compensation and the Royal Navy

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

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

The law has changed

Mesothelioma is a fatal and aggressive cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos, can take decades to manifest. The symptoms can take years to show up and, after being diagnosed with the disease sufferers are likely to live a few more years.

The decision of the Government to amend the law is a significant step towards. Beginning in April 2016, veterans of the armed services diagnosed with mesothelioma will be able to decide whether they want to receive a pension or receive an amount of lump sum up to PS140,000. This is substantially more than the average civilian compensation award.

Before the changes, armed forces veterans who were diagnosed with mesothelioma could only receive a War Disablement Pension. However, this only provided a regular monthly income and was not appropriate for those suffering from serious long-term diseases such as 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 changed to allow 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 would have been eligible for a war disablement pension of up to PS32,000 if the patient was unmarried, divorced or widowed. Civilians with mesothelioma, however could receive as much as PS600,000.000 under the government's Diffuse Mesothelioma program.

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

Mesothelioma UK is already helping former soldiers, sailors and other military personnel with their mesothelioma lawsuit. We can assist them in understanding the new laws and what they mean. We can help them determine the best method to receive compensation. This could include tracing companies that are responsible for their asbestos exposure.

The lump sum amount will be PS140,000

The amount of compensation given to sufferers is based on several factors, such as age, the impact mesothelioma can have on the life expectancy and the amount of care required. The amount of workers compensation for mesothelioma awarded to patients is determined by a range of factors including age, the impact mesothelioma has on life expectancy and how much care they need.

Asbestos victims have to seek compensation from asbestos exposure responsible parties. For those who are unable to locate the responsible parties, a federal program pays lump sums of money to mesothelioma sufferers. The average award is PS144,000.

Former servicemen diagnosed with diffuse mesothelioma were only entitled to a pension for war disability under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme 2008 It is a monthly sum that is based on the person's age and degree of disability. However, this is considerably less than the mesothelioma settlement for civilians that can exceed 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, as per the new law. He suffers from mesothelioma, an incurable lung condition caused by exposure to asbestos.

According to mesothelioma lawyers, Simpson Millar, this is a huge win for veterans with mesothelioma. The majority of Navy personnel as well as a lot of civilians, docked at US ports throughout their career where they were exposed to harmful asbestos fibres. This is due to the extensive use of asbestos on American ships in the current. The symptoms of mesothelioma may take decades to manifest, and as a result, veterans are often left with only a few options for compensation.

The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that veterans with mesothelioma who were not previously awarded a war pension will receive a lump sum of up to PS140,000. This will be a significant improvement on the current amount that non-married veterans suffering from mesothelioma receive under the Diffuse Mesothelioma scheme.

This new payment will however be taken out of the current war pension that a person receives. As a result, it is essential that anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma who is considering applying for this new payment seeks advice from seasoned mesothelioma solicitors to ensure they get the best deal.

It's a win to the Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion has issued an abrasive critique of the government for allegedly not keeping its promise to legislate the military covenant. The charity has demanded that the minister explain why the government isn't honoring its pledge to veterans. It has also threatened to pull out of a number of forums in which it has been working with the Ministry of Defence.

Engagement of the Legion with the MoD is essential, but it must be more productive 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 loop in forums so that issues that aren't addressed in a consistent manner are recognized and the reasons behind this are clearly explained.

The Royal British Legion, as the UK's largest and oldest Armed Forces Charity, is situated at the heart of a nationwide network that provides support for members of the Armed Forces. They are also the organization that is best placed to understand the issues faced by those who are serving, have served and their widows and widowers.

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

Asbest was used in shipbuilding, as well as other Naval activities. Many veterans are struggling with their health issues and the impact of their disease on their financial status.

However, there are a number of organisations that can help in this. For instance, mesothelioma attorneys can assist in obtaining legal compensation for sufferers, which can be used to pay for treatment or to cover essential living expenses. Additionally, mesothelioma patients can also make a claim for compensation from the companies that provided asbestos-containing products.

Veterans will welcome it

The Ministry of Defence announced that Navy veterans with mesothelioma are able to access a lump-sum payment of PS140,000. This will allow them to receive a substantial financial aid to ease the financial pressure that mesothelioma can cause their families.

This news will be welcomed by the thousands of former military personnel who were diagnosed with mesothelioma. The law has been amended so that they are paid a similar amount as civilian sufferers who have mesothelioma compensation claims.

The change is the result of the campaigning of the Royal British Legion and other groups, which resulted in the Prime Minister pledging to investigate the issue. The MoD's decision to change its policy will allow a number of dying veterans who would have been eligible for pensions to opt for a lump-sum. This will provide them with the peace mind they seek as well as the financial assistance they need to live out the rest of their lives.

Asbestos is associated with mesothelioma. It can take years for symptoms to appear, but just one exposure can increase the risk of developing the disease. The vast majority of mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos at work, including in Navy shipyards. In the year 2000 the UK law was amended to permit employees who were exposed to asbestos while at work to sue their employers. However many veterans are not aware that they may be eligible for compensation from the government.

Mesothelioma is a devastating illness that has affected many lives. The government's decision to address the unfair treatment of military veterans is a major victory.

But it's not enough to stop the suffering of mesothelioma patients and their families. They will also need to seek compensation from companies that supplied the armed forces with asbestos products. Veterans may be able file trust fund claims against a variety of different corporations depending on where they worked, such as shipyards, bases, and ships. This can include a variety of multinational corporations that have been known to sell asbestos-related products to the US Navy and other branches of the armed forces.