Simon Robeson
The Government has announced new measures to support sufferers of the industrial disease mesothelioma and their families.
The changes have been designed to speed up compensation claims for victims of the terminal condition, which can take hold decades after exposure to asbestos but usually causes death within 9 months of diagnosis.
They include:
- work with the National Cancer Registration Service and Public Health England to speed up the process of obtaining hospital medical records;
- giving HM Revenue and Customs the ability to provide the work records of deceased victims to their dependents without permission from the courts.
These changes will be brought into force at the earliest opportunity. They will benefit mesothelioma sufferers and their families by providing them with a streamlined process to access vital evidence necessary to resolve their claim.
The government has also announced that, following a legal ruling, it will not be making any changes to the law around no-win no-fee deals involving mesothelioma cases at this time. A further review of the likely effects of the no-win no-fee reforms on mesothelioma claims will be carried out in due course.
Simon Robeson, a partner specialising in personal injury claims at Kidd Rapinet’s London office, said, “Mesothelioma is an awful disease which can destroy lives in a frighteningly short amount of time and so any help in getting claims settled fairly and quickly is welcome”.
If you would like assistance in relation to a claim, call Simon Robeson at Kidd Rapinet on 020 7265 5486 for further information.