
The UK government has established several schemes to provide financial assistance to patients suffering from asbestosis-related diseases. These include:
1. Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB)
- The Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) is a non-contributory benefit available to individuals who have become disabled due to an asbestos-related disease. The benefit is paid weekly, and eligibility is based on a confirmed diagnosis of an asbestos-related condition that can be linked to employment.
- Diseases covered under the IIDB scheme include mesothelioma, asbestosis, lung cancer (where there is evidence of significant asbestos exposure), and diffuse pleural thickening.
- To qualify, the exposure must have occurred during employment, and the patient must not have been self-employed at the time of exposure.
- The level of benefit paid depends on the degree of disability, as assessed by a government-appointed medical professional.
2. Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979
- This scheme provides lump sum compensation to individuals suffering from certain dust-related diseases, including asbestos-related conditions like mesothelioma and asbestosis, where a claim for IIDB has been made.
- Under this Act, if a patient cannot claim against their former employer (for example, if the employer has ceased trading or cannot be traced), they may be eligible for a payment from the government. The amount received varies depending on the patient’s age and level of disability.
3. Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS)
- Introduced in 2014, the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS) is designed to provide compensation to individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma who cannot trace their former employer or the employer’s insurer.
- The DMPS is funded by the insurance industry and provides lump sum payments to patients who would otherwise be left without compensation. The scheme applies to mesothelioma cases only, recognizing the particularly aggressive nature of the disease.
- To be eligible for the DMPS, patients must have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of asbestos exposure in the UK, and they must not have received any other compensation for their disease.
4. War Pensions Scheme
- For veterans exposed to asbestos during their service in the armed forces, the War Pensions Scheme provides financial support. This scheme covers a range of asbestos-related conditions, including mesothelioma and asbestosis.
- Veterans may be entitled to a pension or lump sum payment, depending on the severity of their condition. The scheme also offers supplementary allowances for those requiring care or experiencing financial hardship due to their illness.
5. Child Maintenance Payments
- In cases where mesothelioma patients have passed away, their dependents may be eligible for support under the Child Maintenance Payments scheme, which helps families maintain financial stability following the loss of a loved one due to an asbestos-related illness.
Legal Support in Addition to Government Schemes
While government support schemes are vital, many patients diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases are also entitled to compensation from their former employers. This is where the expertise of mesothelioma compensation solicitors becomes essential. Firms specializing in asbestos-related claims work alongside government benefits to secure the best possible outcomes for patients and their families.
Mesothelioma compensation claims solicitors and asbestos claims solicitors represent patients diagnosed with mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases, helping them pursue claims against employers who failed to protect workers from asbestos exposure. Even in cases where employers are no longer in business, experienced solicitors can trace insurers to secure compensation for patients.
Patients may be eligible for both government benefits and legal compensation, and mesothelioma compensation solicitors can help ensure all avenues of support are explored. Compensation claims can provide significant financial relief, covering medical expenses, lost wages, and care costs, supplementing the assistance provided by government schemes.
Why Legal Expertise is Essential
Navigating the legal process for asbestos-related compensation claims can be complex, particularly for patients seeking government benefits. Specialist solicitors for mesothelioma compensation claims offer expert legal guidance, ensuring that all claims are properly managed and that patients receive the maximum compensation to which they are entitled.
Firms with a long track record of representing patients in asbestos-related claims are adept at working with government schemes such as the IIDB and DMPS to secure comprehensive financial support for patients.
Patients diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases, or their families, can contact asbestosis solicitors and asbestos compensation claims experts to learn more about their rights and how they can access compensation.
Conclusion
Government support schemes provide essential financial relief for patients diagnosed with asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis. These schemes, including the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) and the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS), ensure that those affected by asbestos exposure receive much-needed financial assistance.
However, legal compensation remains an important complement to government support. With the help of experienced mesothelioma compensation solicitors, patients can pursue claims against negligent employers and secure additional financial compensation to cover the costs of their illness.