The Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme

The DMPS is a government-run scheme that compensates those suffering from mesothelioma that is diffuse. If a civil lawsuit for mesothelioma does not succeed against an employer as the company is no longer operating and their insurers can't be traced then substantial payments can be made under the DMPS.

The DMPS has large gaps that mean that many people are not eligible. I've helped clients who fall into those gaps and it is unfair.

What is the DMPS (Digital Media Payment System)?

The DMPS is available to mesothelioma patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma diffuse mesothelioma payment scheme but are not eligible for civil compensation. The scheme offers an upfront lump sum amounting to PS216.896 dependent on the age of the patient at diagnosis.

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

This is a pity and a difficult time for mesothelioma patients. It is also difficult for some patients to reconcile that they will receive no compensation whatsoever, whereas others who could have received substantial compensation through the civil process will have their money taken away and transferred to DMPS.

Asbestos victims should receive compensation that is based on their unique circumstances but not at the expense of other mesothelioma victims. The DMPS does not include any medical expenses, like immunotherapy and chemotherapy, which might have been required to alleviate symptoms or improve life expectancy.

It is also worth noting that a mesothelioma victim's ability to be eligible for social security benefits and/or compensation from their DWP employer will be evaluated by the DMPS administrator. This is an unjustified conflict of interest that should be stopped.

Lastly, if a person suffering from mesothelioma payments dies prior to submitting a DMPS, their heirs will be entitled to submit a DMPS. In contrast, civil mesothelioma cases are handled differently. If a person passes away before the three-year statute of limitation expires, their estate can pursue a compensation claim. It is not clear why the DMPS was created in this way. This issue raises many questions. This is a subject which I will continue to fight for change.

How do I submit a claim?

To qualify for a payment through the DMPS you must have been in contact with asbestos at any time. This could have been at your home or workplace. Asbestos was used widely until it was banned and this meant that workers in different industries were exposed to the deadly fibres. This included construction workers, tradesmen such as plumbers, electricians and carpenters as well factories workers. Asbestos dust may also affect people who lived near asbestos-producing factories.

The DMPS introduced in 2008, filled the gap left by the Pneumoconiosis Act of 1979. The scheme permitted people suffering from diffuse mesothelioma, who were not able to pursue a compensation claim in court, to receive a lump-sum payment. In the event of a person who died before having the ability to submit claims under the DMPS the family members of the deceased can now apply for a claim.

The amount you will receive is determined by the age you were at the time you were diagnosed with Mesothelioma. The amount will increase as you get older, and this will assist to reflect the effects of the disease on your daily life. You can include your dependents on your DMPS award to with their healthcare costs.

It is crucial to remember that you can still make an appeal for civil compensation in the same way as you are submitting a payment under the DMPS. This is to ensure that you are receiving the full amount of compensation available to you.

A DMPS claim will also pay you PS7,000 to cover the legal costs. This will cover the cost of making your claim. It will be paid directly to your bank account.

The most significant issue is that the DMPS only provides a small compensation amount, and does not contain any specific requirements for Diffuse mesothelioma payment Scheme any medical treatment that you might require. For instance immunotherapy has been proven to be effective in some situations, and it is a treatment that you only receive if you make an application for civil compensation through the insurers of your former employer.

How long do I have to make an application before it becomes too late?

Every year, around 300 people who have developed diffuse mesothelioma struggle to seek compensation. It could be due to the fact that their employer is no longer operating or their insurance companies are no anymore in business. The DMPS was established to ensure that these people could still receive the benefits they deserve.

The law's introduction was greeted with enthusiasm because it plugged a hole in the law that was in place for a long time and resulted in people who didn't know their employer or insurer could not recover compensation.

If you have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma in the last five years, you may be eligible for a DMPS lump-sum amount of up to PS90,000. (before deductions). If you or a member of your family was killed as a result of mesothelioma then you could be entitled to a Special Payment of between PS74,000 and 200,000 depending on the age you were at the time you were diagnosed.

You or your family may also be eligible for additional benefits, like Industrial Injuries Disablement Allowance and Disability Living allowance. This could help with the day to day expenses of living, travel expenses and also the cost of equipment like oxygen tanks.

If you're applying for the DMPS and you're interested, then be aware that you have only an amount of time to submit your claim. It is crucial to submit your application as quickly as possible and do not wait any longer. You can speak with an attorney who is specialized in mesothelioma and can assist you with your DMPS claim.

You have three years to make a claim on behalf of a family member who died from mesothelioma. This is the statutory time frame for mesothelioma claims in England and Wales. You can still claim after the deadline, if you are assisted by an experienced mesothelioma lawyer. This lawyer will make sure that all of the necessary evidence is provided to increase your chances of receiving a successful DMPS Claim.

What happens if you don't file a claim?

Asbestos compensation solicitors are required by people who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma. It is also crucial that claims are made within the three-year timeframe stipulated by law. This will ensure that a lawyer is able to start gathering evidence and compiling a robust mesothelioma lawsuit.

Mesothelioma symptoms don't usually appear after a number of years of exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, by the time a person is diagnosed with mesothelioma their health has usually deteriorated to the point that they have only a few months left to live.

The Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme launched in 2014 to plug the gap that prevented mesothelioma victims who couldn't trace their employer or employers' liability insurers from receiving the compensation they deserved. It is funded by a levy on insurance companies.

However the DMPS only compensates mesothelioma sufferers who worked in the UK and suffered direct exposure to asbestos at work. For instance, a customer of mine was diagnosed with mesothelioma after exposure to the washing of her father's asbestos-contaminated garments at his manufacturing facility in Higham, Kent. She was not able to file a claim for mesothelioma against British Uralite, her father's former company. She was awarded only PS18,675 for the result. This was not enough to cover her legal costs. This is a huge injustice. Immunotherapy therapies are promising for those with mesothelioma, and it is essential that those who are eligible receive the funding they require.