Government Lump Sum Payments
If you are suffering from an asbestos-related disease, you and your family may also be entitled to a lump sum benefit.
Workers’ Compensation Act 1979
To get a payment under this scheme (also known as Pneumoconiosis Workers’ Compensation Act or PWCA) you must be eligible for
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) and meet the following conditions:
- Your illness must have been caused by your job
- You must claim within 12 months of the decision awarding IIDB
- You can’t or haven’t taken any civil action because your former employer has stopped trading
- You haven’t brought a court action or received compensation from your employer
You are not eligible for this payment if you are self-employed.
You may be able to make a claim under this scheme if you are the dependant of someone who suffered from an asbestos-related disease and has died. A dependant claim must be made within 12 months of the death of the sufferer.
2008 Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment
If you are not eligible for payment under the 1979 Workers’ Compensation Act, you may still be able to get a lump sum benefit.
You can claim for the 2008 scheme if you came into contact with asbestos:
- While you were self-employed
- Through a family member (e.g. by washing their work clothes)
- Or you don’t know how you came into contact with asbestos
If you are ex military personnel and as a result of asbestos exposure during your service are diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to either a lump sum or weekly payment. This is a different scheme than that of civilians and we can also help you to apply for this.
Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS 2014)
This payment scheme came into effect in 2014 to provide compensation to mesothelioma sufferers who cannot trace the employer that exposed them to asbestos, or their insurers.
You may be able to claim if all of the following conditions apply:
- You were diagnosed with mesothelioma on or after 25 July 2012
- Your mesothelioma was caused by exposure to asbestos when working in the UK
- You can’t trace the employer that exposed you to asbestos or their insurers
- You haven’t made a civil claim against any employer or insurer
You may also be able to claim if you are the dependant of a mesothelioma sufferer who has died.
You can claim for the DMPS even if you have already claimed from the 2008 scheme or under the Workers’ Compensation Act 1979. If you’ve already got a payment from the 2008 scheme or the 1979 Act, it will be deducted from the amount you get from DMPS.
Unfortunately, the scheme does not benefit those with other asbestos-related diseases, such as lung cancer or family members exposed to asbestos from the clothing of others.
How we can help
If you would like more advice on how to apply for a Government Lump Sum Payment, we can help and can assist with completing the forms – contact us for details. We also work with a panel of recommended specialist asbestos disease solicitors who work hard to ensure those eligible for DMPS receive the compensation they are entitled to as soon as possible.
Asbestos-related disease sufferers have faced many legal challenges in recent years and we will continue to fight for their rights. We are passionate about ensuring patients and their families receive full and fair financial security.