Its The Ugly The Truth About Mesothelioma Compensation Royal Navy

Mesothelioma Compensation and the Royal Navy
The Ministry of Defence changed its policy on 16 December 2015 to give service members suffering from mesothelioma to choose between a lump-sum payment or a traditional war pension. The change was not applicable to all veterans who had been already diagnosed with mesothelioma.
This includes Rhod Palmer and Fred Minall, who were exposed to asbestos while in their military service and in civilian jobs. This was a huge injustice to their families and the people they loved.
The law has been modified
Mesothelioma is a fatal and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure can take years to manifest. It can take decades before symptoms are evident and once diagnosed, most sufferers will live for a minimum of one or two years.
It is a significant step forward that the government has taken the decision to amend the law. In April 2016, armed forces veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma will be able select whether to receive a pension or receive a lump sum amounting to PS140,000. This is significantly higher than the average civilian compensation award.
Prior to the changes, armed forces veterans who were diagnosed with mesothelioma could be eligible for mesothelioma benefits through a War Disablement Pension. It was a monthly income, which was not suitable for those suffering from severe chronic diseases like mesothelioma. Furthermore, it was not possible to access lump sum compensation under the War Pension Scheme.
After a long-running campaign, aided 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 an amount of lump sums up to PS140,000, addition to the traditional War Pension. The lump sum is also tax-free.
Prior to this, mesothelioma diagnosed would have qualified a person to receive a war disability pension of up PS32,000 regardless of whether they were single, divorced or widowed. Civilians suffering from mesothelioma on the other hand 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 able to select this option. It will also be accessible to those who were exposed to asbestos both during their military service and outside of it also, referred to 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 to understand the new laws and the implications. We can also assist them in determining the best way to get compensation. This can include tracing the companies that are accountable for their exposure to asbestos.
The lump sum will be PS140,000.
Compensation is determined by a number of factors, including age, life expectancy after mesothelioma, and the amount of care required. It is also based on the impact mesothelioma has had on family members and whether or not the individual can continue to work.
Asbestos sufferers should seek compensation from those responsible for their exposure to asbestos. For those who are unable to locate the responsible parties, a government program pays lump sums to mesothelioma patients. The amount that is awarded is around PS144,000.
Former servicemen diagnosed with diffuse mesothelioma were only entitled to 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. This is a lower amount than the mesothelioma for civilians settlement, which is in six figures.
Fred Minall, 74 from Northampton Fred Minall, who worked as an engineer in the naval sector of the Royal Navy between 1957 and 1965, has now been told that he is entitled to an amount of PS140,000 in one lump sum under the new law. Mesothelioma is an incurable lung disease caused by exposure to asbestos.
According to mesothelioma attorneys, Simpson Millar, this is an enormous victory for patients with mesothelioma. The majority of Navy personnel as well as a lot of civilians, anchored at US ports throughout their career where they were exposed harmful asbestos fibres. This is due to the widespread use of asbestos on American ships at this time. The symptoms of mesothelioma may not be apparent for a long time, leaving veterans with only a few options for compensation.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that mesothelioma sufferers who have never received a war pension will be offered a lump sum amounting to PS140,000. This is a substantial increase over the amount that veterans who are not married with mesothelioma receive under the Diffuse Mesothelioma scheme.
However, this new payment will be taken from any war pension that an individual is entitled to. It is therefore important that anyone suffering from mesothelioma who is thinking about applying for this benefit seeks advice from an experienced mesothelioma lawyer to ensure that they are getting the best deal.
It's a win for Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion has issued a stinging criticism of the government for allegedly not keeping its pledge 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 withdraw from several forums in which it has been working with the Ministry of Defence.
The Legion's involvement with the MoD is important but it has to be more effective to ensure that the community is being looked after in a way that can make a difference to their lives. It is therefore vital that the feedback loop in forums is improved in order that all issues that are not being addressed 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 core of an entire national network that offers support to members of the Armed Forces and their families. They are also the group that is the most suited to understand the challenges faced by those who serve, have served and their widows and widowers.
One of the biggest issues for mesothelioma patients is that they're often left without a financial security because of their disease. The amount of compensation available is often not enough to cover the costs of care or living expenses, and it's usually not feasible to obtain a mortgage.
Asbest was used in shipbuilding, in addition to other Naval activities. Many veterans are struggling to manage the symptoms of their disease and the effects on their financial situation.
There are several organisations which can help. For example, mesothelioma lawyers can assist in obtaining legal compensation for sufferers, which can be used to pay for treatment or essential living costs. In addition, mesothelioma sufferers may also file a claim for compensation from the companies that provided asbestos-containing products.
It will be a welcome sight for veterans
The Ministry of Defence announced that Navy veterans with mesothelioma are able to receive a lump-sum payout of PS140,000. The Ministry of Defence announced that Navy veterans with mesothelioma will be able to access a lump sum of PS140,000.
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 to civilian patients who have mesothelioma compensation claims.
The change came in response to an effort 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 a number of dying veterans who would have been entitled to a pension to receive a lump sum. This will give them the peace of mind they seek and the financial security they require to live the rest of their lives.
Asbestos is associated with mesothelioma. Although the symptoms can take decades to develop, even one exposure can increase your risk. The vast majority of mesothelioma sufferers were exposed to asbestos while working, including in Navy shipyards. In the year 2000, the UK law was amended to allow workers who were exposed to asbestos while at work to sue their employers. However, many veterans are unaware that they could be entitled to compensation from the government.
Mesothelioma is a devastating disease that has impacted many lives. The decision of the government to address the unfair treatment of veterans of the military is a huge victory.
However, it's not enough to alleviate the suffering of veterans who have mesothelioma as well as their families. They will also have to seek compensation from companies that supplied asbestos products to the military. Depending on the shipyards and bases and the ships they worked on, veterans might be able to claim trust fund compensation against several different corporations. These could include large multinationals that have a long tradition of selling asbestos-related products to the US Navy or other branches of the military.