As the disease takes many decades to become apparent, it was not an immediate risk. The amount of time it takes for mesothelioma to develop also makes it hard for some people to claim mesothelioma compensation from their former employers. Work histories are easily lost, companies go bust and often, there’s no one to sue when the time comes.
But the financial uncertainty that comes with a cancer diagnosis merits justified compensation for these people. That’s why the UK government has set up the diffuse mesothelioma payment scheme. It allows people to claim from a pot of money if they no longer can track down their former employer, or they don’t know which employer was responsible for their illness.
Recently, a landmark case has meant that claimants no longer have to prove a certain level of exposure to asbestos in order to make a claim. Which means that the women and children of workers, who previously may have been unable to make a claim, are able to through this scheme. It also means families can pursue compensation after their loved one has passed away, even if they don’t have all the history they might have needed previously.
The cap on the compensation award is £125,000 – and the awards are mostly set around ages and circumstance. Those who are diagnosed at a younger age are able to claim more compensation. The situation is certainly cautionary when it comes to workplace safety and the potential of substances to cause harm years down the line. In the years to come, we will see the numbers of those diagnosed hopefully reduce as the use of asbestos was banned in the UK (although many old buildings still contain it).
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