Summary of Measures in the Act Mesothelioma Current position
56.The intention of the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979 (“the 1979 Act”) was to provide a reasonable level of compensation to sufferers of certain dust related diseases, or their dependants, who are unable to pursue a civil claim because their former employers have ceased to carry on business. Mesothelioma is one of the diseases covered by the 1979 Act, and only people who receive Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit are eligible to receive a payment under the 1979 Act.
57.The Social Security (Recovery of Benefits) Act 1997 (“the 1997 Act”) provides for the recovery of social security benefits (as listed in the 1997 Act) which have been paid in respect of any accident, injury or disease to claimants who go on to receive compensation in respect of the accident, injury or disease, following a civil claim. The intention of the 1997 Act was to ensure that a person does not receive double compensation, and that the Government could recover the listed social security benefit payments it had made, from the person deemed liable for the accident, injury or disease following a civil claim.