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 decide whether they want to receive an amount in one lump sum or a traditional war pension. But the decision did not apply to all veterans who had been diagnosed with the disease.
This includes Rhod Palmer and Fred Minall, who were exposed to asbestos in their military service as well as civilian jobs. This was a major injustice to them and their families.
The law has been modified
Mesothelioma is a fatal and aggressive cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos can take a long time to manifest. It can take years for symptoms to show and once diagnosed, most sufferers will live for a minimum of only one or two years.
It is a major step forward that the government has taken the decision to change the law. 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 significantly higher compensation than the average civil award.
Before the changes, veterans of the armed forces who were diagnosed with mesothelioma could only be eligible for a War Disablement Pension. This was an income per month, which was not suitable for those suffering from severe long-term illnesses such as mesothelioma. Additionally it was not possible to obtain lump sum compensation under the War Pension Scheme.
After a long period of lobbying, backed by the Royal British Legion and Asbestos Victims Support Group Forum, the law has been modified to allow veterans of the armed forces diagnosed with mesothelioma to receive an amount of up to PS140,000 in addition to a traditional War Pension. mesothelioma compensation claims is tax-free.
Previously, a mesothelioma diagnosis could have earned a war-related disability pension of up to PS32,000 if the person was single divorced, widowed or divorced. However, civilians who have mesothelioma are eligible for up to PS600,000. This is under the Government's Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.
The new law will be applicable to all veterans of the armed forces diagnosed with mesothelioma who want to pursue this option. It will also be accessible to those who were exposed to asbestos both during their military service and also outside of it, known as 'dual exposure'.
Mesothelioma UK has already started helping former sailors and other military personnel of the military with mesothelioma lawsuits. We can assist them in understanding the new laws and the implications. We can also help them discover the best method to get compensation. This may include tracing companies that are accountable for their asbestos exposure.
The lump sum will be PS140,000.
Compensation is determined by a range of factors, including age, life expectancy after mesothelioma, and the amount of care required. The amount of compensation awarded to sufferers is based on several factors such as age, the impact mesothelioma has on life expectancy and the amount of care they require.
Asbestos victims should seek compensation from those responsible for their exposure to asbestos. If they are who are unable to identify the responsible parties, a government scheme pays a lump sum to victims of mesothelioma. The average amount is around PS144,000.
Former servicemen who were diagnosed with mesothelioma diffuse weren't entitled to an income for war-related disability under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme 2008 This is a monthly payout based on an individual's age and their level of disablement. However, it is much less than mesothelioma compensation for civilians, which can reach six-figures.
Fred Minall, 74 from Northampton, who served as an engineer for the naval branch of the Royal Navy between 1957 and 1965, has now been told that he'll be entitled to a lump sum of PS140,000 under the new law. He has mesothelioma - an incurable lung disease caused by asbestos exposure.
Simpson Millar, a mesothelioma lawyer, believes that this is a major victory for veterans with mesothelioma. Most Navy personnel, along with many civilians, were docked in US ports during their career and were exposed to asbestos-related toxins. This is due to the extensive use of asbestos on American ships at the time. The signs of mesothelioma could not show up for years, leaving veterans with limited compensation options.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that veterans with Mesothelioma, who had never received a war-pension will be offered up to PS140,000 as a lump-sum payment. This is a significant increase from the amount that non-married mesothelioma veterans receive under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.
This new payment will be subtracted from the current war pension an individual receives. It is crucial that anyone with mesothelioma is thinking about applying for this benefit seeks advice from an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to ensure they are getting the best deal.
It's a win for the Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion has delivered an uncompromising rebuke to government over claims that it has not acted on its promise to make the military covenant a permanent part of in law. The charity has urged the minister responsible to explain why it is reneging on its commitment to veterans and has threatened to withdraw from a variety of forums in which it cooperates with the Ministry of Defence.
The Legion's involvement with the MoD is crucial, but it needs to be more efficient to ensure that the community is being looked after in a way that makes a real difference to their lives. It is important to improve the feedback loops in forums so that issues that aren't addressed in a consistent way are identified and the reasons behind this are clearly explained.
As the oldest and largest Armed Forces charity, the Royal British Legion is at the heart of the national network that provides support to members of the Armed Forces and their families. The Royal British Legion is the most effective organization to understand the challenges facing those who have served as their widows or orphans, and their families.
One of the biggest issues for mesothelioma patients is that they are often left without any financial security because of their illness. The amount of compensation offered isn't always enough to cover the living expenses or medical costs and mortgages are usually difficult to obtain.
Asbest was used in shipbuilding in addition to other Naval activities. This has left many veterans struggling to cope with the symptoms of their illness and the impact it has on their financial position.
However there are a variety of organisations that can help in this. For instance, mesothelioma attorneys can assist in obtaining legal compensation for sufferers. This can be used to pay for treatment or to cover essential living expenses. In addition, mesothelioma victims may also file an application for compensation from companies that supplied them with asbestos products.
It will be a welcome sight for veterans
The Ministry of Defence announced that Navy veterans suffering from mesothelioma will be able to get a lump-sum payment of PS140,000. The Ministry of Defence announced that Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma will be able to access an amount of PS140,000 in a lump sum.
This news will be greeted by the thousands of former military personnel who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. The law has changed to allow them to receive a similar amount of compensation like civilians with mesothelioma cases.
The change came about due to an initiative by the Royal British Legion, and other groups. This resulted in the Prime Minister declaring that he would investigate the issue. The decision by the MoD will help many veterans who are dying, and would have qualified for a war pension to receive the lump amount. This will provide them with the peace of mind they need as well as the financial assistance they require to live the rest of their life.
Asbestos is linked to mesothelioma. It can take a long time for symptoms to manifest, but even a single exposure can increase the chance of developing the disease. The majority of mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos while working, which includes in Navy shipyards. The UK law was amended last year to allow people to sue employers if exposed to asbestos in the workplace however, many veterans aren't aware that they can seek compensation from the government.
Mesothelioma is a devastating disease that has impacted many lives. The government's decision on how to deal with the unfair treatment of veterans is a major victory.
But it's not enough to end the suffering of veterans with mesothelioma as well as their families. They'll also have to seek compensation from companies that supplied the armed forces with asbestos-based products. Depending on the shipyards and bases and the ships they were employed on, veterans may be able to claim trust fund compensation against various corporations. This could include a range of multinational corporations that have an history of selling asbestos-related products to the US Navy and other branches of the armed forces.