Asbestos and Mesothelioma support groups throughout the UK welcome increased provision for sufferers of Mesothelioma

It's been a promising week for Asbestos and Mesothelioma support groups throughout the UK, with the welcome news of increased provision for sufferers of Mesothelioma. It's been announced that the Government plans to increase the compensation payments made under the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS). These will increase from 80% to 100% of the average court award. This increase will provide further help for people who are suffering from Mesothelioma, an invariably fatal condition which is only caused by exposure to asbestos.

The DMPS scheme was set up to help those suffering from mesothelioma when they can prove that they were negligently exposed to asbestos at work and they are unable to trace the relevant employer or insurer to make a claim.

Specialist Solicitor Andrew Morgan of Fieldfisher, Commented:

"The DMPS payments were initially set at the rate of 75% of an average award for a person of a given age but, under pressure from Asbestos Victims Support Groups and with the support of the House of Lords and many MPs, that figure was revised upwards, to 80%. This further increase, to 100% of the average, will further reduce the injustices and ease the financial plight suffered by eligible mesothelioma sufferers and their families.

But there is still some way to go.  The scheme does not cover mesothelioma sufferers who were exposed outside work, nor does it cover asbestos-related lung cancers or other fatal industrial diseases. We call on the Government to extend the scheme to cover everyone who is suffering terminal illness as a result of someone else's negligence."