The UK government’s new Mesothelioma Scheme 2008 started accepting claims last week, promising faster payments for the victims of this fatal asbestos related disease. The news will be particularly welcome for the estimated 600 people each year who do not currently receive government compensation. It is estimated that payments during the first 2 years of the scheme will be around £10,000 to each person that suffers from Mesothelioma.
Under current arrangements, only those directly exposed to asbestos through their work or those who can trace their exposure can receive compensation. This means that those exposed to asbestos from secondary sources, such as a family member’s contaminated clothing, or from living near a factory using asbestos, are currently unable to claim compensation for their illness.
Mesothelioma is a rapidly progressing cancer of the lining of the lungs; it is invariably fatal, with the average time between diagnosis and death being around 9 months. Like other asbestos related conditions, there is often a long gap (up to 40 years) between the initial exposure and the development of the disease. It is currently the number one identified cause of occupational death in the UK with about 1800 deaths per year, predicted to rise to around 2,500 deaths per year by 2010.
Camps Solicitors work related illness solicitors can represent sufferers of asbestos related diseases to make no win no fee compensation claims. Our personal injury solicitors have extensive experience handling sensitive cases such as those relating to asbestos diseases, where often the victim’s condition is incurable.
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