The Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme

The DMPS, a government-led scheme provides compensation to patients suffering from mesothelioma that is diffuse. The DMPS will pay large amounts in the event that a civil lawsuit against an employer fails because the company has ceased to exist or their insurers aren't traceable.

However the DMPS has huge gaps which mean too many sufferers miss out. I've helped clients who fall into these gaps and it is unfair.

What is the DMPS (Digital Media Payment System)?

A mesothelioma victim who is diagnosed with diffuse mesothelioma, but does not qualify to pursue a civil compensation claim may apply for the DMPS. The scheme offers an upfront lump amount of up to PS216,896 depending on the age at the date of diagnosis.

The DMPS is only available to those diagnosed with mesothelioma that was caused by their own exposure to asbestos and who were unsuccessful in locating their former employer or their employer's insurers. Therefore, it is not available to those who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma as a result of another exposure or who aren't able to make a civil claim without any financial support.

This is a great injustice and a difficult situation for mesothelioma patients to find themselves in. It can be difficult for some patients to comprehend that they will not receive any compensation at all, while others who might have received substantial compensation via a civil case will have their money taken from them and transferred to DMPS.

Asbestos sufferers should be offered compensation that takes into account their unique circumstances but not at the cost of other mesothelioma patients. The DMPS does not include any medical expenses, like immunotherapy and chemotherapy, which might have been required to treat symptoms or increase the life expectancy of patients.

The DMPS administrator will also take into account the mesothelioma patient's eligibility to social security benefits or compensation from their DWP employers. This is an obvious conflict of interest which should not be allowed to continue.

Finally, if someone suffering from mesothelioma dies prior to submitting a DMPS, their heirs will be entitled to file a DMPS. This is different from the way mesothelioma lawsuits are handled in civil court where if someone dies before their three-year time limit expires, their Estate can still pursue a compensation claim. It is not clear why the DMPS was established on this basis. This issue raises a lot of questions. This is an area which I will continue to fight for change.

How do I submit a claim?

To be eligible for a payment through the DMPS you should have been in contact with asbestos at least one time. You may have been exposed to asbestos at home or in the workplace. Workers in a variety of industries were exposed to asbestos because it was used extensively until it was banned. Tradesmen, such as construction workers, electricians, plumbers and carpenters as well as factory workers were all at risk. People who lived near asbestos factories also were at risk since the dust would drift onto their clothing and home.

The DMPS was launched in 2008 to address a gap that had been created by the Pneumoconiosis Act 1979. This meant that those diagnosed with mesothelioma payout diffuse who could not pursue an appeal for compensation through courts were able to receive an amount in one lump sum under the scheme. In the case of a person who died before being able to make claims under the DMPS, their dependants can now apply for a claim.

The compensation you are awarded will be based on the time when you were diagnosed with mesothelioma. The amount you receive will increase as you age depending on the impact that the disease has had on your life. You can include your dependents on your DMPS award to to pay for their medical expenses.

It is important to remember that you can still make an appeal for civil compensation while you are submitting a payment under the DMPS. This will ensure that you receive the entire amount of compensation that is available to you.

A DMPS claim will also grant you PS7,000 to cover your legal fees. This will cover the cost of the process of pursuing your claim. The money will be transferred directly to your bank account.

The main problem with the DMPS is that it only provides an amount of money and it does not include any specific element for the cost of any medical treatment you may require. Immunotherapy, average payout for mesothelioma instance, has been proven effective in certain cases. However you can only receive it if you file an injury claim with your former employer's insurance company.

How long can I make a claim before it's too late?

Every year, Mesothelioma Payment around 300 people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma diffuse are unable to get compensation. It could be due to the fact that their employer is no longer trading or that their insurers are no operating. The DMPS was created to ensure that those affected could still receive the compensation they deserved.

The law's introduction was welcomed because it closed a loophole that existed in the law for a long time and meant that those who didn't know their employer or insurer were unable to recover compensation.

If you were diagnosed with mesothelioma within the last five years, you may be eligible for a DMPS lump-sum payment of up PS90,000. (before deductions). If you've passed away because of mesothelioma, you or your family may receive a Special Payment between PS74,000 to PS200,000, based on your age at the time of diagnosis.

You or your family members may also be eligible for other benefits, mesothelioma Payment like Industrial Injuries Disablement Allowance and Disability Living allowance. This could help to cover the costs of living and travel expenses, as well as equipment such as oxygen tanks.

You must be aware of the shortest time you have left to submit your claim if you're applying for DMPS. You must complete your application as soon as you can. Contact a mesothelioma solicitor who can assist you with your DMPS claim and ensure it is properly submitted.

If you are seeking compensation on behalf of someone who died from mesothelioma, you have three years from the date of their death to file a claim. This is the legal time limit for mesothelioma lawsuits in England and Wales. However, you can claim after the deadline provided you are assisted by an experienced mesothelioma payments lawyer. This lawyer will ensure that all of the necessary evidence is presented to maximize the chances of obtaining an effective DMPS Claim.

What happens if I don't submit a claim?

Patients diagnosed with mesothelioma need to act quickly and instruct asbestos compensation solicitors. However, it's also essential that the claim is filed within the three-year timeframe stipulated by law. This will enable a lawyer to begin collecting evidence and assembling an effective mesothelioma case.

The signs of mesothelioma don't appear for many years after exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately when someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, their health has often deteriorated to the point that they have only a few months left to live.

The Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme introduced in 2014 to fill an insufficiency that prevented mesothelioma victims who were unable to locate their employer or insurance companies' liability insurers from receiving the compensation they deserved. The scheme is financed by a tax on insurance companies.

However, the DMPS only compensates mesothelioma patients who worked in the UK and had direct exposure to asbestos while at work. For instance, a customer of mine was diagnosed with mesothelioma after exposure to washing her father's asbestos-contaminated work clothes at his factory in Higham, Kent. She was unable to submit a mesothelioma claim against British Uralite the father's former company. She received only PS18,675 for the result. This amount did not cover her legal fees. This is a huge injustice. Immunotherapy treatments are extremely promising for those suffering from mesothelioma and it is crucial that those who are eligible receive the financial support they require.