Gratuitous care from family/friends In cases of severely disabling or terminal asbestos diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer or advanced asbestosis, patients will commonly need and receive care and assistance from family members and close friends. This care can include helping with washing, dressing, administering medication and assisting with mobility – often increasing in intensity as a disease progresses. If a claim for compensation for the asbestos-related condition is successful, we will recover compensation for the care and assistance provided by family and friends, albeit at a reduced rate from the full commercial care rate. What about professional care? As increasing care is required, some individuals may engage commercial carers whose costs will normally be recoverable in a successful compensation claim. However, most people will receive free, palliative care at home, or will attend a care centre for “respite care” or, in the case of a terminal illness, will receive care in a Hospice towards the end of their life. We would like to assist Hospice funding by recovering care related costs in successful compensation claims. Recovering Hospice costs Owing to their charitable status, a Hospice (or any other voluntary organisation) will not impose any charge on those they help or their families for palliative or “respite care”. Of course, in order to provide this care, Hospices are heavily reliant upon voluntary donations and fundraising, in addition to the NHS funding received. It is now established law that a claim for compensation for gratuitous care should not be restricted to the care provided by family and friends. This means a claim can also be made on behalf of the Hospice for the non-statutory funded element of the care provided. This amount can be recovered in a successful compensation claim and paid out on settlement, allowing Hospices to continue to provide their invaluable services as well as retain financial stability.
Claiming Hospice care costs will not affect nor form part of the compensation owed to family and friends who have tirelessly cared for the sufferer during their illness, often in very difficult circumstances. It is a separate amount that the Hospice can receive with our help, which in turn can be used to help other sufferers and their families as well as funding projects such as bereavement support and counselling and providing practical advice for grieving families. About us Our specialist Asbestos Team have a combined experience of over 80 years of helping victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos diseases. Every year we work closely with asbestos support charities, clinicians and specialist lung cancer nurses to ensure anyone affected by an asbestos-related disease has all the support they need, wherever they live. We are proud to have been the British Lung Foundation’s first Gold Patron and to have been able to contribute to the Foundation’s vital mesothelioma research work. We also helped establish the London Asbestos Support Awareness Group, which provides practical and emotional support for anyone affected by mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases across London and the South East. We work closely with Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital Charity who raise funds for Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, a centre of excellence for those living with lung disease and one of the Leading specialist heart and lung hospitals in the UK. Furthermore, we are dedicated to raising funds including for mesothelioma research and, of course, for Hospices who provide crucial care to those in need of their services. “We would like to say a big thank you to you and your team for the kindness, patience and professionalism extended to us over the last year. The amount of money awarded to Terry for his mesothelioma is life changing to say the least, and this is all due to you all at HJA. Thank you again and our best wishes to you all”
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