A Cheat Sheet For The Ultimate For Mesothelioma Compensation Royal Navy

Mesothelioma Compensation and the Royal Navy
On 16 December 2015, the Ministry of Defence changed their policy to allow military personnel diagnosed with mesothelioma the option of choosing whether they want to receive a lump sum or traditional war pension. But the decision did not apply to all veterans who had already been diagnosed with the disease.
Rhod Minall and Fred Palmer were also affected due to exposure to asbestos in their military service or in civilian positions. This was a terrible injustice to their families and the people they loved.
The law has changed
Mesothelioma is a deadly, terminal cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos, can take decades to manifest. The symptoms can take several years to show up and, after being diagnosed with the disease sufferers are likely to live for one or two more years.
It is a significant move that the Government has made the decision to amend the law. In April 2016, armed forces veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma will be able to decide whether they want to receive their pension or a lump sum amounting to PS140,000. This is a much more substantial amount than the typical civil award.
Before the changes, veterans of the armed forces who were diagnosed with mesothelioma could only receive mesothelioma benefits through 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 severe long-term diseases such as 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 amended to give veterans of the armed forces diagnosed with mesothelioma the right to an amount of lump sums up to PS140,000 in addition to the traditional War Pension. The lump sum will also be tax-free.
Previously, a mesothelioma diagnosis would have been eligible for a war disablement pension of up to PS32,000 in the event that the patient was unmarried, divorced or widowed. Contrary to this, civilians diagnosed with mesothelioma are eligible for up to PS600,000. This is under the Government's Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.
All veterans of the armed forces diagnosed with mesothelioma will be able to choose this option. It is also available to those who were exposed to asbestos both during their military service and also outside of it also, referred to as 'dual exposure'.
Mesothelioma UK has already started helping former sailors and other armed personnel of the military with mesothelioma lawsuits. We can help them understand the new laws and the implications. We can also assist clients to determine the best method of obtaining compensation. This can include tracing the companies that could be accountable for their exposure to asbestos.
The lump sum will be PS140,000.
Compensation is determined by a variety of factors, such as the age of the person, their life expectancy following mesothelioma as well as the amount of care required. It also takes into account the effect mesothelioma's cancer has affected family members and whether or not the patient can work.
Asbestos victims should seek compensation from the people responsible for their exposure to asbestos. However, for those unable to find those responsible the government scheme will pay lump sums to those suffering of mesothelioma. The average award is approximately PS144,000.
Former servicemen who were diagnosed with diffuse mesothelioma were only entitled to an income for war-related disability under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme 2008 It is a monthly sum that is based on the person's age and level of disability. But, it's much less than civilian mesothelioma compensation that can exceed 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 been informed that he will be entitled to an amount of PS140,000 in one lump sum under the new law. He suffers from mesothelioma, a debilitating lung condition that is caused by exposure to asbestos.
Simpson Millar, a mesothelioma lawyer, believes that this is a major victory for veterans suffering from mesothelioma. Most Navy personnel, as well as many civilians, were docked in US ports during their careers, where they were exposed to harmful asbestos fibres. This is because of the widespread use of asbestos in American ships during this period. Symptoms of mesothelioma can take decades to manifest and, as a consequence the patients are often left with fewer options to seek compensation.
The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that mesothelioma sufferers who were not previously awarded an entitlement to a war pension will now receive a lump sum amounting to PS140,000. This is a substantial increase over the amount that non-married veterans suffering from mesothelioma receive under the Diffuse Mesothelioma scheme.
However this new payment will be deducted from any war pensions an individual receives. It is crucial that anyone suffering from mesothelioma who is considering applying for this type of payment seeks the advice of an experienced mesothelioma attorney to ensure they are getting the best deal.
It is a win for the 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 demanded that the minister explain why the government isn't 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.
Engagement of the Legion with the MoD is essential but it has to be more effective to ensure that the needs of the community are addressed in a manner that has a significant impact on their lives. It is crucial to improve the feedback loop in forums to ensure that any problems that aren't addressed consistently are understood and the reasons for this are explained.
As the oldest and largest Armed Forces charity, the Royal British Legion is at the center of an entire national network that offers support to members of the Armed Forces and their families. The Royal British Legion is the most effective organisation to understand the issues that confront those who served as soldiers, their widows and orphans, and their families.
The fact that mesothelioma patients are often left with no financial security is among their main concerns. The compensation available isn't always enough to cover the living expenses or medical costs, and mortgages are typically difficult to obtain.
This is especially true for Navy veterans who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, because asbestos was utilized in shipbuilding and other Naval activities. Many veterans are struggling with their ailments and the impact of their disease on their financial status.
However there are a variety of organisations that can help with this. Mesothelioma lawyers can help secure legal compensation to be used for treatment and essential living expenses. Mesothelioma sufferers may also seek compensation from companies that supplied asbestos-containing products.
It will be a welcome sight for veterans
The Ministry of Defence announced that Navy veterans suffering from mesothelioma will be able to receive a lump-sum payout of PS140,000. This will enable them to have significant financial aid to ease the financial pressure that mesothelioma causes their families.
Former service members who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma will welcome this news. The law has been amended so that they are paid a similar amount to civilian sufferers with a mesothelioma compensation claim.
The change is a result of the campaigning of the Royal British Legion and other groups, which resulted in the Prime Minister agreeing to examine the issue. The change made by the MoD will help many veterans who are dying, and could have been eligible for a war-related pension to receive the lump amount. This will provide them with the peace mind they require 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 disease. The majority of mesothelioma victims were exposed to asbestos at work, including at Navy shipyards. In the past year the UK law was amended to allow workers who were exposed to asbestos at work to sue their employers. However, many veterans are unaware that they could be eligible for compensation from the government.
Mesothelioma is a devastating cancer and there aren't words to express the extent that it has affected so many lives. The government's decision to address the discrimination against military veterans is a major victory.
But it's not enough to end the suffering of mesothelioma patients and their families. They also need to seek compensation from companies that supplied asbestos-related products to the military. Based on the shipyards, bases and the ships they were employed on, veterans may be eligible to make trust fund claims against several different corporations. This can include a variety of multinationals with been known to sell asbestos-related products to the US Navy and other branches of the Armed Forces.