We were instructed in June 2015 by a gentleman who had been diagnosed with mesothelioma. We set about visiting him very quickly in hospital where he was very unwell. We took the information necessary to draft a statement detailing his asbestos exposure and the next day, sadly he died.
Despite having evidence of asbestos exposure during his working life, there was no viable defendant to pursue as his former employers were all out of business and no employers could be traced.
In the circumstances, we recommended to the gentleman’s widow that a claim be made to the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS). The application was made in December 2016, once all relevant documentation was available.
Just 7 weeks later the scheme administrators confirmed that a payment would be made and a six figure sum was paid to the gentleman’s widow.
The Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme was set up to compensate people with mesothelioma who were exposed to asbestos either negligently or in breach of statutory duty by their employers but who are unable to bring a claim for compensation against those employers or the relevant employers’ liability insurance. The scheme can also consider making payments to eligible dependants of a mesothelioma sufferer who has passed away.
If you would like further advice about the DMPS or a potential claim for compensation following a diagnosis of mesothelioma then please get in touch with us.
