Diffuse mesothelioma payment

On 1 October 2008, a new government scheme was introduced for people suffering from the asbestos-related disease, diffuse mesothelioma. Under certain circumstances, people who have the disease may be entitled to a one-off lump sum payment.

Eligibility

If you are unable to make a claim under the 1979 Pneumoconiosis Order (NI), have not received payment in respect of the disease from an employer, a civil claim or elsewhere and are not entitled to compensation from a Ministry of Defence scheme, you can claim a one-off lump sum payment.

The scheme covers people whose exposure to asbestos occurred in the United Kingdom and was not as a result of their work as an employee, for example:

you came into contact with asbestos from a relative - for example by washing their clothes
you were exposed to asbestos in the environment - for example, they lived near a factory using asbestos
your exposure to asbestos was while self-employed
your exposure cannot be specified but it occurred in the United Kingdom

Rates

The lump sum payment depends on the age you were when the disease was diagnosed. If the date of the diagnosis is not known, it will be based on your age at the date of making a claim.

The rates are as follows:

Age	Payment	Age	Payment
37 and under	£77,506	57	£48,156
38	£75,999	58	£44,245
39	£74,495	59	£40,330
40	£72,991	60	£36,422
41	£71,485	61	£32,507
42	£69,980	62	£28,594
43	£69,229	63	£26,184
44	£68,472	64	£23,776
45	£67,723	65	£21,372
46	£66,971	66	£18,963
47	£66,217	67	£16,555
48	£64,113	68	£16,065
49	£62,007	69	£15,574
50	£59,896	70	£15,088
51	£57,791	71	£14,600
52	£55,680	72	£14,110
53	£54,177	73	£13,695
54	£52,673	74	£13,272
55	£51,171	75	£12,865
56	£49,660	76	£12,456
		77 and over	£12,040

There are separate rates for dependants where the sufferer has died.

Making a claim

Claims must be received within 12 months of the date of diagnosis. The aim is to pay 95 per cent of claims within six weeks of receiving the claim form.

You will be asked to submit medical evidence with your claim showing that you suffer from diffuse mesothelioma caused by exposure to asbestos. No further medical examination will be required.

If the sufferer has died, their dependants may be able to claim. The claim form must be received within 12 months of the date of death.