2008 Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme
In March 2007 the Secretary of State announced proposals to provide compensation to all people suffering with Diffuse Mesothelioma where they:
- were exposed to asbestos in the UK, and
- do not currently qualify for help from the Government.
For example, this would include people who
- were self employed
- may have washed the clothes of someone who worked with asbestos.
The 2008 Diffuse Mesothelioma scheme came into force on 1 October 2008 via the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008. The Scheme enables lump sum payments to be made to people suffering from Diffuse Mesothelioma, if they were exposed to asbestos in the UK. The 2008 Scheme operates alongside the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979 (PWCA), which also pays lump sum payments to sufferers of various dust related diseases.
For more details look at The 2008 Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme (42KB) 
Lump sum payment recoveries
Lump sums paid under the 2008 Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme and the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979 are recoverable under the Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997.
Recovery is made from all compensation claims settled on or after 1 October 2008 regardless of when the lump sum payment was made.
