Mesothelioma in the Armed Forces Claims

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with mesothelioma that was contracted during time in the armed forces due to exposure to asbestos, the experienced legal specialists at JMW Solicitors can help you to claim compensation.

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a duty of care to service personnel, which means military personnel can make a claim for injuries that have been sustained while serving in the armed forces if the MOD is proven to have failed in their responsibilities.

We have many years of experience in working with members of the armed forces to ensure they are given the support and guidance they need to claim the compensation they deserve.

Contact us today by calling 0345 872 6666, or complete our online enquiry form and we will be in touch at a time that is convenient for you.

How JMW Can Help

Statistics from Mesothelioma UK state that eight veterans per month claim their war pension due to a diagnosis of mesothelioma, and it is estimated that there could be eight successful claims per month from veterans - totalling 480 over the next five years.

We have a great deal of experience in handling armed forces claims, and we have a specialist team in place dealing with cases brought by service personnel. This means we understand the specialist nature of the work that members of the armed forces carry out.

Our armed forces solicitors will guide you every step of the way throughout the claims process, providing the following services:

• Guidance on the amount of compensation you are likely to receive
• Advice on the benefits that are available to you
• Assistance in identifying the sources of exposure to asbestos during your time in the armed forces
• Access to leading medical experts
• Guidance through the High Court’s Fast-Track Mesothelioma Procedure
• Information on the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme
• Help to obtain the full entitlement to compensation to protect your’s and your family’s future

In December 2018, the MOD issued a health warning related to asbestos exposure to military engineers and other service personnel who may have worked on Sea King helicopters since 1969. If you believe you have been exposed to asbestos, either working on a Sea King helicopter or through another role, we can help.

We also pride ourselves on our ‘one-stop-shop’ service, which combines our specialist personal injury and medical negligence services with an expert team who will help you to secure your compensation in an Armed Forces Compensation Trust. We can also offer guidance relating to wills, employment and family matters.

Our focus is on taking as much pressure off you as possible at this extremely testing time following a mesothelioma diagnosis.

FAQs

How was asbestos used in Sea King helicopters?

The Sea King first entered circulation in 1969 and was eventually retired from active service in 2018. Asbestos-containing materials were used in gaskets and seals located around the engines, gearboxes, heating and ventilation systems, which were routinely exposed to maintenance activity.

In 1999, a plan was introduced to eliminate asbestos from the aircraft. By 2006, major components were replaced and any remaining items were assessed as low risk and contained inside components that were not routinely disturbed.

However, in 2018, a routine maintenance training activity conducted on a retired Sea King airframe highlighted the presence of asbestos, which meant the aircraft had not had all of its asbestos removed.