Up to £92K for sufferers of asbestos disease in Jersey

The government have said anyone aged 70 with the disease would receive a one-off payment of £17,961 Credit: ITV Channel TV

Over £92,000 could be claimed by those who have developed asbestos related cancers and their families under Jersey's compensation scheme.

The government say the amount will be based on the age of the sufferer, ranging between £92,259 for those 37 and under, to £14,334 for those 77 and over.

The fund, which is known as the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme, is a one-off payment from Jersey's government and will be introduced in October 2019.

Close relatives of islanders who have died from the disease will also be able to claim.

Mesothelioma is a disease which is associated with historic exposure to asbestos fibres. It often develops later on in life but once diagnosed it is associated with a shorter life expectancy.

Calls for a compensation scheme started last year after an e-petition attracted over 1,300 signatures.

Those looking to apply for the scheme will need to meet the following criteria:

  • be 18 years or older

  • be resident in Jersey for the last 5 years

  • have a diagnosis of diffuse mesothelioma from a consultant in Jersey

  • claim within 12 months of first diagnosis

  • have been exposed to asbestos containing materials (ACM) in Jersey

Close relatives wanting to apply will need to meet the following:

  • be ordinarily resident in Jersey for the last five years

  • be a relation of the deceased sufferer

  • claim for a sufferer who was eligible for the Scheme on the date of their death

  • claim within 12 months of the deceased sufferer’s death

The government have said that if someone aged 70 applied for the compensation then they would receive a one-off payment of £17,961 and this would increase in line with inflation.