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Claim compensation
for mesothelioma
If you are suffering from mesothelioma you may be appropriate
for compensation. Irwin Mitchell's specialist mesothelioma solicitors
deal completely with claims for recompense for victims of work
associated illness or medical conditions such as mesothelioma
and other asbestos associated diseases
Action Mesothelioma Day 2008
The 27th of February 2008 saw the 3rd Action Mesothelioma Day,
where solicitors attended actions throughout the UK, to raise
awareness of this disease, and more movingly, to remember both
past and present clients.
Financial help and compensation for mesothelioma
If your mesothelioma could be due to revelation to asbestos
through your work, you may be able to claim compensation. This
can be done in two ways: through payback paid by the government
and/or by suing your employer for the stage during which you
were showing to asbestos. Your specialist nurse, local Citizens
Advice Bureau, a local Benefits Adviser or an Asbestos Diseases
Support Group can tell you who to contact and help you through
the reimbursement system.
Benefits paid by the government
The main benefit allocated for people with asbestos related
illnesses is Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
This is paid, as a usual weekly allowance, to people who have
mesothelioma and can show that they have worked in a job that
exposed them to asbestos. This benefit is not paid if you were
self employed in the work that led to the asbestos exposure.
Your GP, cancer authority or specialist nurse will be asked
to send a report to the Benefits Agency, stating that you have
been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and you will be awarded the
full rate of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
If the employer has gone out of business, you may be permitted
to Pneumoconiosis Worker’s Compensation.
Before July 2002 people sometimes had to have a medical examination
by doctors working for the DSS to make sure that they had mesothelioma
and to assess how critically they were disabled by it, but this
is no longer the case.
It is desirable to do this, because if the benefit is awarded
it will start from the date of the phone call. If you phone
the Benefit Agency, record the name of the person you spoke
to and what they said and make a note of the date, time and
grounds for your call. Have your National Insurance number accessible.
Claim all benefits you think you may be permitted to. Many people
miss out by failing to claim.
Support when claiming compensation
Any of the asbestos carry organisations can give you in sequence
about claiming compensation and can support you through the
process. You can get more information about the method of making
claims from the Occupational and Environmental Disease Association
and the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.
Costs of claiming compensation
Making a personal grievance compensation claim should not cost
you a lot of money. Most good solicitors offer a free initial
interview, even if a home visit is needed. The solicitor should
then be able to discuss the various options for funding, before
any claim is started.
If you are a member of a trade union or a professional association,
or you have legal expenses insurance cover, then you may not
have to pay anything. If your solicitor is prepared to take
your case on a 'no win/no fee’ basis then you may have
to pay a one off insurance premium. The insurance cover will
guard you against the risk of having to pay the other side’s
costs if the claim is lost or discontinued.
Compensation for family members
Compensation can be claimed by relations of people who have
died of mesothelioma, to compensate them for their relative’s
pain and pain and any financial losses suffered as a result
of the illness. It is supportive to get legal advice before
making such a declare.
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