New And Innovative Concepts Happening With 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 they want to receive a 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 during their military service and in civilian jobs. This was a huge injustice for them as well as their families.
The law has changed
Mesothelioma is an aggressive type of cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos. The symptoms can take several years to appear and, once diagnosed with the disease, sufferers are likely to live a few more years.
The Government's decision to change the law is a major step in the right direction. From April 2016, veterans of the armed services diagnosed with mesothelioma will have the option to choose whether to receive a pension or receive a lump sum of up 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 a War Disablement Pension. This was a limited benefit that only offered an income that was regular and monthly, and was not suitable for those suffering from serious long-term diseases such as mesothelioma. In addition, it was not possible to receive lump sum compensation under the War Pension Scheme.
After intense lobbying, and aided 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 diagnosed with mesothelioma access to lump sums of up to PS140,000, in addition to the traditional War Pension. The lump sum is also 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, widowed or divorced. In contrast, civilians with mesothelioma may receive up to PS600,000. This is under the government's Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.
The new law will apply to all veterans of the armed forces diagnosed with mesothelioma and who wish to avail this option. It will also be accessible to those who were exposed to asbestos both during their armed forces service and also outside of it, known as 'dual exposure'.
Mesothelioma UK is already helping former sailors, soldiers and other service members with their mesothelioma claims. We can help them to learn about the new law and what's involved. We can also assist them in determining the best method to receive compensation. This could include tracing the companies that may be responsible for their exposure to asbestos.
The lump sum amount will be PS140,000
The level of compensation awarded to sufferers is based on several factors, such as age, the impact mesothelioma can have on the life expectancy and how much care is required. It also takes into account the impact mesothelioma's disease has affected family members and whether or not the person can work.
Asbestos victims must seek compensation from those accountable for their exposure to asbestos. If they cannot find the responsible parties, a government program pays lump sums to mesothelioma patients. The average amount is around PS144,000.
Previously, ex-servicemen diagnosed with mesothelioma would only claim a war disablement pension under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme 2008. This is a monthly payout dependent on the person's age and the degree of their disability. But, it's considerably less than mesothelioma compensation for civilians that can exceed six figures.
Fred Minall from Northampton who was a member of the Royal Navy as a naval engineer between 1957 and 1964 was informed that he is entitled to a lump sum payment of PS140,000, under the new law. He is suffering from mesothelioma, an incurable lung condition that is caused by exposure to asbestos.
According to mesothelioma attorneys, Simpson Millar, this is an incredible victory for patients 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 because of the frequent use of asbestos in American ships at the time. The signs of mesothelioma could not be apparent for a long time and leave veterans with a only a few options for compensation.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that mesothelioma sufferers who have not been previously granted an army pension will receive a lump sum amounting to PS140,000. This will be a significant improvement over the current amount that veterans who are not married with mesothelioma receive under the Diffuse Mesothelioma scheme.
However this new payment will be taken from any existing war pension that an individual is entitled to. It is imperative that anyone with mesothelioma who is thinking about applying for this type of payment seek advice from a seasoned mesothelioma attorney to ensure they get the best price.
It's a win for Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion has delivered an uncompromising rebuke to government over claims that it hasn't acted on its commitment to establish the military covenant in law. The charity has asked the minister to explain why the government is not honouring its commitment 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 needs to be more effective to ensure that the community is being looked after in a way that makes a real difference to their lives.
average compensation for mesothelioma claim is crucial to improve the feedback loops in forums to ensure that any issues that aren't addressed in a consistent manner are recognized and the reasons behind this are clearly explained.
As the country's 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. They are also the group which is the best placed to understand the challenges faced by those who serve, have served and their widows and widowers.
One of the most significant concerns of mesothelioma sufferers is that they are often left without a financial security as a result of their disease. The compensation available isn't always enough to cover living expenses or medical expenses, and mortgages are typically difficult to get.

This is especially relevant to Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, since asbestos was widely used in shipbuilding and other Naval activities. This has left many veterans struggling with the symptoms of their disease and the impact it has on their financial situation.
There are numerous organizations that can assist. For example, mesothelioma lawyers can assist in obtaining legal compensation for sufferers. This can be used to pay for treatment or cover essential living costs. Patients with mesothelioma can also claim compensation from the companies that supplied asbestos products.
It will be welcomed by 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 a lump sum of PS140,000.
This news will be greeted by the countless former military personnel who were diagnosed with mesothelioma. The law has been changed to allow them to receive the same amount of compensation like civilians with mesothelioma cases.
The change is the result of a campaign by the Royal British Legion and other groups, which led to the Prime Minister making a commitment to investigate the issue. The MoD's u-turn will allow many dying veterans who were eligible for a pension to receive a lump sum. This will give them the peace of mind they require and the financial security they need to live out the rest of their life.
Asbestos is associated with mesothelioma. It can take years for symptoms to manifest however just one exposure can increase the chance of developing the condition. The vast majority mesothelioma patients were exposed to asbestos while working, including in Navy shipyards. The UK law was changed in the last year to allow workers to sue employers if exposed to asbestos while working, but many veterans are still unaware of the possibility of seeking compensation from the government.
Mesothelioma is a debilitating illness that has had a devastating impact on many lives. The decision by the government regarding how to address the unfair treatment of veterans is a huge victory.
However, it's not enough end the suffering of mesothelioma patients and their families. They will also need to seek compensation from the companies that supplied the armed forces with asbestos products. Depending on the shipyards, bases and the ships they worked on, veterans may be in a position to claim trust fund compensation against a variety of corporations. This can include a variety of multinationals with a history of selling asbestos-related products to the US Navy and other branches of the military.