Mesothelioma Bill - Commons Library Research Paper

The House of Commons Library has put together a research paper for the new Mesothelioma Bill, prepared in anticipation of the second reading debate in the House of Commons due on the 2nd December. If the legislation is passed it will allow a Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment scheme to be set up to make payments to those suffering from mesothelioma who are unable to bring a claim against the employer or an Employers' Liability insurer. The scheme would make payments to people first diagnosed on or after 25 July 2012 and it is hoped that the first payments will be made starting in July 2014.

The scheme is expected to be limited to not more than 70% of the average paid out in viable cases where an insurer has been found.  Furthermore, it is estimated that more than 300 mesothelioma patients a year miss out on compensation because insurers cannot be traced. This scheme will not provide them with full compensation nor does it apply to all Claimants.

This scheme is too little for those entitled to fair compensation in the future and too late for the hundreds of mesothelioma sufferers who have been denied compensation in the past.