Category Archives
Military Personnel
Military Veterans Denied Asbestos Compensation
200 military veterans have been denied access to mesothelioma compensation that civilians in exactly the same position would be entitled to and would receive. The MoD will not pay out to military personnel that were exposed to asbestos before the year 1987 even though a proposed Government Bill that is making its way through the House of Lords would see more than 3,000 sufferers in a similar position receive compensation of around £100,000 each.
The dangers of asbestos have been known for decades now and since the turn of the century a number of people that were exposed to the deadly substance and its spores have successfully been able to claim compensation from employers that put them in harm’s way. Massive law suits have been filed and even where employers and their insurers no longer exist, compensation has been available.
However, the MoD will not award compensation to those military personnel that were exposed prior to 1987. It is believed that this will affect around 200 veterans who worked on navy shipbuilding yards where it is known that the material was used. MoD civilians will be awarded the compensation but not military personnel.
Many people have come out in support of the military personnel and have criticised the loophole that currently exists. Jim Murphy, the Shadow Defence Minister, said “Those who give so much for our country should always be looked after.” Labour MP Thomas Docherty said that “MoD bureaucracy is failing to close this unacceptable loophole.” He called the situation an outrage and said that the sufferers and their families are not being given the support that they deserve.
Mesothelioma is a disease that is caused solely through exposure to asbestos fibres and there is no cure. Sufferers will typically endure extremely painful symptoms and the disease will ultimately lead to death. It is, in fact, one of several conditions that are directly linked to a substance which was frequently and regularly used in construction of buildings and, in this case, in the construction of ships. These diseases can take 40 years to fully develop which means that many that were exposed before the 1987 cut off many not yet have developed the tell-tale symptoms.
Asbestos was used by the Royal Navy in the building of its ships. Specifically, it was used to increase the strength of the ships while also offering fire retardant properties. The material was used until the 1980s when its poisonous qualities were identified and its use was stopped. However, many people were still exposed prior to this date.
The inequality is extremely harsh. Those that were exposed to asbestos after 1987 are entitled to compensation and so too are civilians that worked on the ships before 1987. However, former military personnel that were exposed prior to 1987 are not entitled to receive the same compensation. It is believed that the government will back a reform that is being led by a group of Tory MPs that will close the existing loophole and ensure that all of those affected are entitled to the same compensation.
