Certain patients may be able to get between £17,000 to over £200,000 depending on when they were diagnosed
People diagnosed with a life-changing condition could be eligible for a substantial one-time payout from the government. Those diagnosed with diffuse mesothelioma, an aggressive type of cancer typically caused by asbestos exposure, may be entitled to hundreds of thousands of pounds in a single payment.
The Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment by the Department for Work and Pensions and the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS), established in 2014, is designed to help people secure their rightful compensation. This is specifically for individuals who have not yet received or are unable to obtain compensation, for example because they cannot contact their employer where the exposure took place.
The primary requirement for these significant one-off payments is that the asbestos exposure must have occurred in the UK and that you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. Exposure can include the workplace or general living environment, such as living near a factory that uses asbestos.
Exposure through a relative, like washing their contaminated clothes, is also included, as well as situations where you cannot specify exactly where the exposure occurred, but it was within the UK. One of the only other requirements is a diffused mesothelioma diagnosis, and you must apply within 12 months of the official diagnosis.
The age at which you were diagnosed and the year are also crucial pieces of information that will help determine how much compensation you’re owed. For those diagnosed before 2012, they will be able to claim from the DWP titles The 2008 Scheme.
This existing scheme offers a one-time payment, provided you’re not eligible for a payout under the 1979 Pneumoconiosis Act or compensation from a Ministry of Defence scheme. It also stipulates that you must not have received a payment for the disease from an employer, a civil claim or any other source. The younger you were at the time of diagnosis, the higher the compensation you can receive.
In the 2008 Scheme, those aged 37 and under can qualify for a hefty £114,210, while those over 77 could receive a more modest £17,745. Dependents of people who have passed away from diffuse mesothelioma may also be eligible, although the sums are significantly smaller, ranging from £9,840 to a maximum of £59,436 depending on the age of the person at their time of death.
Claims must be made within 12 months of the person’s death, and eligibility can be checked by contacting the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) helpline. However, if you were diagnosed after July 25, 2012 or have been unable to locate the employer responsible for your asbestos exposure, you’ll need to go through the DMPS.
Even if you’ve already claimed from the 2008 Scheme or the 1979 Pneumoconiosis Act, you can still claim from the DMPS, but this may be deducted from the amount you’re due. DMPS claims must be made within three years of diagnosis and the amount varies depending on your age at diagnosis.
Those diagnosed between 2012 and 2015 could be entitled to up to £216,896 if they were 40 or under, dropping to £69,649 for those aged 90 and over. For those diagnosed after 2015, the range is from £271,120 for those 40 and under, to £87,061 for those 90 and over.
More information about both schemes can be found on the gov.uk website, including how to make a claim and challenge decisions about your claim.
