The Ministry of Defence changed its policy on the 16th of December to give service members suffering from mesothelioma the option to receive an amount in lump sum or a traditional war pension. But the decision did not apply to all veterans who had already been diagnosed with mesothelioma.
This included Rhod Palmer and Fred Minall, who were exposed to asbestos in their military service and in civilian jobs. This was a major injustice for them and their families.
The law has been modified
Mesothelioma is a fatal and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, can take decades to manifest. It can take years before symptoms are evident and once diagnosed, many sufferers live a lifespan of just one or two years.
The decision of the Government to amend the law is a significant step towards. From April 2016, veterans of the armed forces diagnosed with mesothelioma can choose select whether to receive their pension or an amount of lump sum up to PS140,000. This is significantly more than the average civilian compensation award.
Prior to the changes, veterans of the armed forces who were diagnosed with mesothelioma were able to receive the War Disablement Pension. This was an income per month, which was not suitable for those suffering from serious chronic diseases like mesothelioma. In addition, it was not possible to receive lump sum compensation under the War Pension Scheme.
After compensation for mesothelioma , supported 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 that have been diagnosed with mesothelioma access to lump sums of up to PS140,000, in addition to the traditional War Pension. The lump sum will also 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. Civilians suffering from mesothelioma on the other hand are eligible for PS600,000.000 under the government's Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.
The new law will apply to all veterans of the armed forces diagnosed with mesothelioma who wish to pursue this option. The law will also apply to those who've been exposed to asbestos during their service and also outside of it, also known as "dual exposure".
Mesothelioma UK is already helping former sailors, soldiers and other military personnel with their mesothelioma claim. We can help them to learn about the new law and what's involved. We can help them determine the best method to receive compensation. This may include tracing companies that are accountable for their asbestos exposure.
The lump amount will be PS140,000.
Compensation is determined by a range of factors, such as age, life expectancy after mesothelioma, and the amount of care required. It is also based on the impact mesothelioma has caused on family members as well as whether or not the individual is able to continue working.
Asbestos sufferers should seek compensation from those responsible for their exposure to asbestos. For those who cannot find the responsible parties, a government program will pay lump sums to mesothelioma victims. The average amount awarded is approximately PS144,000.
Former servicemen who were diagnosed with mesothelioma diffuse were able to claim a pension for war disability under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme 2008 This is a monthly payout based on an individual's age and their level of disablement. But, it's much less than mesothelioma compensation for civilians, which can reach six-figures.
Fred Minall from Northampton who was a member of 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, under the new law. He has mesothelioma - an incurable lung disease that is caused by asbestos exposure.
Simpson Millar, a mesothelioma lawyer, believes that this is a major victory for veterans who have mesothelioma. The majority of Navy personnel as well as a lot of civilians, docked at US ports throughout their career where they were exposed harmful asbestos fibres. This is because of the extensive use of asbestos on American ships during this time. The signs of mesothelioma might not be apparent for a long time, leaving veterans with limited compensation options.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that Mesothelioma sufferers who have never received an amount of war-pension, will be offered up to PS140,000 in a lump-sum payment. This is a significant increase over the current amount non-married mesothelioma veterans receive under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.
This new payment will be taken out of the current war pension that a person receives. It is crucial that anyone suffering from mesothelioma who is thinking about applying for this type of payment seeks the advice of an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to ensure that they get the best deal.
It is a win for the Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion has issued an abrasive critique of the government over failing to keep its promise to legislate the military covenant. The charity has asked the minister to explain why the government isn't respecting its promise to veterans. It has also threatened to pull out of various forums in which it has been working with the Ministry of Defence.
The Legion's engagement with the MoD is vital however, it must be more efficient in order to ensure that the community is being looked after in a way that makes a real difference to their lives. It is therefore essential that the feedback loop within forums is improved so that all issues that are not being addressed are recognized and the reasons behind this are explained.
The Royal British Legion, as the UK's biggest and oldest Armed Forces Charity, is located at the heart of a larger network that provides support for members of the Armed Forces. They are also the organisation which is the best placed to comprehend the challenges faced by those who serve or have served, as well as their widows and widowers.
One of the biggest concerns of mesothelioma sufferers is that they're often left without any financial security because of their disease. The compensation that is available is often not enough to cover the costs of treatment or living expenses, and it is usually not feasible to obtain a mortgage.
Asbest was used in shipbuilding, in addition to other Naval activities. Many veterans are struggling with the symptoms of their illness and the impact on their financial situation.
However, there are a number of organizations that can assist with this. For instance, mesothelioma lawyers can help to secure legal compensation for sufferers, which can be used to pay for treatment or essential living costs. Mesothelioma sufferers can also claim compensation from the companies that supplied asbestos products.
It will be welcomed by veterans
Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma will be able to receive an amount of PS140,000 in one lump sum, the Ministry of Defence has announced. This will enable them to receive substantial financial support to ease the financial pressure that mesothelioma has caused for their families.
This news will be greeted by the thousands of former service personnel diagnosed with mesothelioma. The law has been amended so that they are paid a similar amount to civilian sufferers with mesothelioma compensation claims.
The change came due to an initiative by the Royal British Legion, and other groups. This resulted in the Prime Minister agreeing to investigate the issue. The decision by the MoD will allow many dying veterans, who could have qualified for a war-related pension to choose a lump sum. This will provide them with the peace of mind they require and the financial support they require to live the rest of their life.
Asbestos exposure can be linked to mesothelioma. It can take a long time before symptoms begin to show up, but even a single exposure can increase the likelihood of developing the disease. The majority of mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos while working, which includes in Navy shipyards. The UK law changed in the last year to allow workers to sue employers if they were exposed to asbestos while working, but many veterans are still unaware that they can seek compensation from the government.
Mesothelioma has been a terrible disease that has impacted many lives. The government's decision to address the unfair treatment of veterans of the military is a significant victory.
However, it's not enough end the suffering of mesothelioma patients as well as their families. They will also need to seek compensation from companies who supplied the military with asbestos products. Veterans could file trust fund claims against a variety of different corporations, based on the place they worked, such as shipyards, bases, and ships. This could include a number of multinationals with an history of selling asbestos-related products to the US Navy and other branches of the military.
