There will be a public consultation held in spring this year to discuss plans to reform the way mesothelioma cases are dealt with.
The government will open the door to opinion over their proposals for fixed fees for mesothelioma claims, a dedicated pre-action protocol for claims and an electronic portal on which the claims will be registered and the results of the consultation will be published in the autumn.
Justice Secretary Helen Grant who announced the consultation told explained the importance of the consultation. She said: “The government considers that it is imperative that these claims are settled quickly and that early payment of compensation is made so as to ease the suffering of victims of this dreadful disease and give some assurance that their dependents will be financially secure when they are no longer around.”
She went on to say though that this could not be achieved without a speedy pre-litigation process which is the reason behind the decision to consult on the how to best reduce the delays in these types of cases.
Back in June, last year, the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) announced plans to create a support scheme for mesothelioma sufferers which would allow 3,000 mesothelioma victims across the UK to receive approximately £300m in payments in the first 10 years starting in July 2014.
These plans were met with mixed response from the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) though who at the time labelled the scheme as a missed opportunity and underlined its failure to support those victims who have already been diagnosed with the disease.
Scott Rees & Co Solicitors provides expertise claim handling and assistance for industrial diseases including mesothelioma. If you think you are suffering from an illness caused by your workplace or previous workplace, then get in touch with us and we’ll see what we can do for you.
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