Why Mesothelioma Compensation Royal Navy Isn't A Topic That People Are Interested In Mesothelioma Compensation Royal Navy
Mesothelioma Compensation and the Royal Navy
On 16 December 2015, the Ministry of Defence changed their policy to allow service members diagnosed with mesothelioma to choose whether 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 while in their military service and in civilian jobs. This was a major injustice for them as well as their families.
The law has been changed
Mesothelioma is a virulent type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. The symptoms can take several years to manifest and, once diagnosed with the disease, sufferers are expected to live one or two more years.
The Government's decision to change the law is a major step towards. Beginning in April 2016, armed forces veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma will have the option select whether to receive their pension or to take a lump sum amounting to PS140,000. This is significantly higher than the average civilian compensation award.
Before the changes, veterans of the armed forces diagnosed with Mesothelioma were only granted access to a War Disablement Pension. It was a monthly income, which was not suitable for people with serious chronic diseases like mesothelioma. Additionally it was not possible to obtain lump sum compensation under the War Pension Scheme.
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 who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma to receive a lump sum up to PS140,000, in addition to the traditional War Pension. The lump sum is tax-free.
Prior to this, mesothelioma patients could have earned a war-related disability pension of up to PS32,000 in the event that the person was single or divorced. Contrary to this, civilians diagnosed with mesothelioma may receive up to PS600,000 under the Government's Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.
All veterans of the armed forces diagnosed with mesothelioma will be able 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 has already started helping former sailors and other military services personnel with mesothelioma claims. We can help them to learn about the new law and what is involved. We can also assist them in determining the best method to receive compensation. This could include tracing the companies that could be responsible for their exposure to asbestos.
The lump sum will be PS140,000.
The amount of compensation given to patients is determined by a range of factors including age, the effect mesothelioma has on life expectancy and the amount of care needed. The amount of compensation paid to sufferers is based on a range of factors, including age, the effect mesothelioma has on life expectancy, and how much care they need.
Asbestos victims should seek compensation from those responsible for their exposure to asbestos. For those who cannot locate the responsible parties, a federal program pays lump sums to mesothelioma victims. The average award is approximately PS144,000.
Prior to this, ex-servicemen diagnosed with mesothelioma could only be eligible for a war-related disability pension under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme 2008. This is a monthly payment based on an individual's age and the extent of their impairment. But, it's much less than the mesothelioma settlement for civilians, which can reach six-figures.
Fred Minall from Northampton who served in the Royal Navy as a naval engineering between 1957 and 1964 was informed that he has the right to a lump-sum payment of PS140,000 under the new law. He is suffering from mesothelioma, an incurable lung disease caused by exposure to asbestos.
According to mesothelioma lawyers, Simpson Millar, this is an enormous victory for mesothelioma patients who have suffered from the disease. Most Navy personnel, like many civilians, anchored in US ports during their careers, where they were exposed to harmful asbestos fibres. This is because of the frequent use of asbestos on American ships during this time. Mesothelioma symptoms can take years to manifest, and as a result the patients are often left with fewer options to seek compensation.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that veterans with Mesothelioma who have not previously been awarded an amount of war-pension, will receive up to PS140,000 as a lump-sum payment. This is a significant increase over the current amount non-married mesothelioma veterans receive under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.
However this new payment will be taken from any war pension that an individual is entitled to. Therefore, claiming compensation for mesothelioma is crucial that anyone diagnosed with mesothelioma contemplating applying for this payment seeks the advice of experienced mesothelioma solicitors to ensure they receive the best deal.
It is a win for the Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion has delivered a stinging rebuke to the government over claims that it has not acted on its pledge to establish the military covenant in law. The charity has asked the minister to explain why the government isn't honoring its pledge 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 crucial, but it needs to be more effective to ensure that the community is taken care of in a manner that makes a real difference to their lives. It is therefore vital 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 made clear.
The Royal British Legion, as the UK's biggest and oldest Armed Forces Charity, is at the centre of a national network of support for members of the Armed Forces. They are also the organization which is the best placed to understand the challenges faced by those who are serving, have served and their widows and widowers.
One of the biggest problems for mesothelioma sufferers is that they are frequently left without any financial security because of their illness. The compensation offered is often not enough to cover the costs of living or medical expenses, and it is 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 with their ailments and the effects of their illness on their financial situation.
There are several organisations which can help. Mesothelioma attorneys can help secure legal compensation that can be used to pay for treatment and living expenses. In addition, mesothelioma sufferers may also file an application for compensation from companies that supplied asbestos-related products.
It will be a welcome sight for veterans
The Ministry of Defence announced that Navy veterans with mesothelioma are able to access a lump-sum payment of PS140,000. The Ministry of Defence announced that Navy veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma are able to access an amount of PS140,000 in a lump sum.
This news will be greeted by the countless former service personnel diagnosed with mesothelioma. The law has been modified to allow them to be paid the same amount as civilian sufferers with mesothelioma compensation claims.
The change came due to a campaign by the Royal British Legion, and other groups. This led to the Prime Minister agreeing to investigate the issue. The MoD's u-turn will allow a lot of veterans who would have been entitled to a pension to opt for a lump-sum. This will give them the peace of mind they need and the financial security they need to live out the rest of their lives.
Asbestos exposure is linked to mesothelioma. It can take years for symptoms to manifest but even a single exposure could increase the likelihood of developing the condition. The vast majority of mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos while at work, including in Navy shipyards. The UK law was changed in the last year to allow workers to sue employers if exposed to asbestos in the workplace however, many veterans are not aware of the possibility of seeking compensation from the government.
Mesothelioma is a debilitating disease and there are no words to express the way that it has affected so many lives. The government's decision on how to handle the unfair treatment of veterans is an enormous victory.
However, it's not enough stop the suffering of mesothelioma patients and their families. They will also have to seek compensation from the companies that supplied asbestos products to the military. Depending on the shipyards, bases and ships that they worked on, veterans might be in a position to make trust fund claims against a variety of 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.