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Hospices provide invaluable assistance and support to those suffering with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, pleural thickening and other asbestos-related diseases. In addition to supporting the patient, hospices also provide guidance and support to their families.

They are usually run as independent charities or charitable trusts and receive little or no funding from the NHS or local authorities securing a large proportion of their funding from charitable donations.

What is a hospice care claim?

A hospice care claim for asbestos-related diseases is the legal process by which hospices can recover the costs of caring for patients suffering from diseases caused by exposure to asbestos, such as mesothelioma, pleural thickening, and asbestos-related lung cancer.

When you or a loved one has to go into a hospice due to an asbestos-related disease, the costs incurred by the hospice can be significant. Under UK law, when a claim for compensation is made on behalf of the patient against the negligent party (usually an employer or product manufacturer responsible for the asbestos exposure), the hospice's care costs can also be included as part of the claim.

The money generally comes from the insurance company of the negligent party. Once the claim is successful, compensation is awarded to the patient or their family, and the hospice is reimbursed for the care it provides. The compensation for the client is not reduced as a result of this and is added separately to the claim. This system ensures that hospices, many of which are charitable organisations, are not unduly burdened financially when providing vital end-of-life care for asbestos disease sufferers.

 

Including hospice costs as part of a claim for asbestos–related diseases

When someone needs to go into a hospice as a result of an asbestos-related disease, legal advice should be sought to consider if a claim for compensation can be made.

If a loved one that you are claiming for passes away as a result of an asbestos-related disease, then it is important that the local coroner is notified and that a post-mortem takes place. The lung tissue samples can be analysed for asbestos bodies which can, together with exposure history, prove an asbestos disease hospice claim. It is important that the tissue samples are preserved until the conclusion of the legal claim.

We provide an initial consultation free of charge. At that meeting, we can discuss and agree together how to fund an asbestos compensation claim. In the majority of cases, we can offer Conditional Fee Agreements (CFAs or “no win, no fee”).

 

Why choose Boyes Turner?

Our clients receive the highest standards of advice and representation and are always treated with compassion, outstanding care and understanding of the physical, emotional, psychological and financial impact that life-changing injury can have upon their lives.

  • We are nationally acclaimed personal injury lawyers. We are recognised as leading personal injury experts by Chambers Directory and Legal 500.
  • Our award-winning solicitors are accredited for our expertise by the Law Society, AvMA and APIL. We secure maximum compensation settlements for our clients which make the best provision for their current and future needs.
  • We have an extensive and highly experienced personal with proven skills to succeed in high value, complex claims involving catastrophic injury and severe disability.

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Hospice claims frequently asked questions

How do we claim for hospice costs?

Although hospice care is free to the patient, there is still a cost to the hospice in providing that care. As specialists in asbestos related hospice care claims, we act for many people who are receiving hospice care due to their diagnosis of an asbestos-related disease.

When we act for someone suffering from an asbestos-related disease who has had some hospice care or support, we look to include the hospice’s costs, excluding any NHS-funded element, in the compensation claim. If the claim is successful, we can then reimburse the hospice their charitable outlay.

In successful claims, these sums are paid by the defendant held responsible for causing the asbestos exposure and for causing the asbestos-related disease that led to the hospice care claim.

Recovering costs incurred by the hospice in a compensation claim will not reduce or increase the compensation awarded to the mesothelioma sufferer or their family.

It is incredibly important for the mesothelioma and asbestos claims team at Boyes Turner that we can recover hospice costs for our clients to reimburse them, which enables them to continue their invaluable work meeting local community needs.

So far, the team has recovered over £30,000 for Sue Ryder, just one of the many organisations we support. The money recovered for Sue Ryder in compensation claims we have dealt with has helped Sue Ryder provide more expert palliative care for people at the end of their life.

How can the hospice help with bringing a claim?

Our team will contact the hospice directly and ask them to provide a letter or statement giving details of:

  • All admission and discharge or home care dates for the patient.
  • A breakdown of the cost of care provided during each admission or home care.
  • The percentage of the hospice’s funding from charitable donations

We include the cost of the hospice care within the claim for financial losses on the understanding that any sums recovered for the hospice are paid directly to the hospice at the conclusion of the case.

If the claim is successful, our team will make sure that the hospice receives payment of the sum agreed or awarded in respect of the charitable hospice costs. This does not have an impact on the compensation paid to our client, as the hospice costs are added into the claim.

The amount recovered for the hospice will be paid direct to the hospice at the conclusion of the claim.

Who pays for the hospice care claims?

A number of different forms of asbestos have been restricted since the 1970s, with the last being banned in 1999.

If your employer exposed you to asbestos and failed to follow regulations around the use of asbestos, you could be entitled to compensation if you later develop an asbestos-related disease.

Usually it is the company’s insurers who pay the compensation due in the event of a successful claim, so even if the company no longer exists, you can still make a compensation claim if we can trace the company’s former insurers.

What is a hospice care claim in relation to asbestos-related diseases?

A hospice care claim looks to cover the cost of hospice care services provided to patients suffering from asbestos-related diseases, such as mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer.

These claims help ensure that hospices are reimbursed for the care they give to asbestos victims.

Who receives the money from a hospice care claim?

The hospice that provided the care usually receives the compensation directly.

If a family has already paid for the hospice care, they may be reimbursed through the claim.

Is there a time limit to make a hospice care claim?

For asbestos-related diseases, the claim usually must be made within three years from the date of diagnosis.

However, for hospice claims, the window might differ since it's about the cost of care rather than the disease itself.

Can family members make a hospice care claim even if the affected person has not previously made an asbestos claim?

Yes, it's possible.

Even if the person affected didn't claim compensation for their asbestos-related disease during their lifetime, a claim for hospice care can still be pursued after their passing.

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Meet your specialist team

Our specialist Hospice claims team are considered leaders in the field and have a significant amount of expertise.
Laura Magson

Laura Magson

Partner

Kim Milan

Kim Milan

Senior Partner

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Melloney Harbutt

Senior associate - solicitor

Martin Anderson

Martin Anderson

Associate Solicitor

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Roshni Patel

Paralegal

Laura Magson
Kim Milan
Melloney Harbutt headshot
Martin Anderson
Roshni Patel photo

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Awards & accreditations

Our medical negligence and personal injury teams have been nationally recognised for over 20 years because of their expertise, empathy and commitment to securing maximum compensation for our clients.

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What our clients say

"A good company with great staff"

I selected Boyes Turner from a list given to me by an asbestos charity, on the strength of the CV’s of the specialist solicitors. It was a wise choice, I feel.
Melloney Harbutt has been great from day one, despite my occasionally disappearing into hospital for emergency treatment. Very supportive, very knowledgeable and very friendly.


The whole process has been made easier for me thanks to their great communication skills and knowledge of the process. Thank you

Mr Webster

"We finally settled our claim with Laura’s help"

When my dad was diagnosed with mesothelioma we were contacted by a charity based company called HASAG which put us on to Boyes Turner, and we met Laura. Laura managed to speak to dad virtually whilst he was still with us, but unfortunately he passed away very soon after. Laura advised that I become an executor to dads claim.Laura was so easy to deal with and also showed the family a personal touch whenever we spoke.


We finally settled our claim with Laura’s help.


The family would definitely recommend Laura and Boyes Turner to anyone needing a representative for a mesothelioma case as Laura’s knowledge is vast

Boyes Turner Client

"The final result was very satisfactory"

After much hesitation regarding making a claim and speaking to HASAG. I found Boyes Turner one of HASAG's approved solicitors, I met Melloney who explained the process in plain English, and we started the ball rolling, some of the reports were difficult to come to terms with, but all through the process Melloney was supportive and understanding.


As there were multiple parties involved the process took some time which was frustrating, but the final result was very satisfactory.

Mick V

"I would not hesitate to fully recommend their services"

After my diagnosis and starting my treatment for asbestosis I chose the services of Boyes Turner LLP to help me and my family through the claim system.


I had the good fortune to be introduced to Melloney Harbutt as my lead solicitor. At a time when I least wanted additional stress and anxiety, her clear compassionate, honest legal knowledge and personal guidance prevailed throughout.


 

Mr Fletcher

"Mesothelioma Claim"

Absolutely delighted with the speed, efficiency and clarity of the support provided by Laura in my claim against my former employer. She cut through the legalese jargon and explained everything in detail making my decision making easy.

Additionally, she handled my grim prognosis details with compassion and showed a great understanding of, not only the legal aspects, but also the complex medical details and options. The prompt settlement negotiated by Laura has ensured I can "enjoy" the benefits while still fairly mobile and also she ensured the defendants would fund any future treatments not funded by the NHS should I need them.


It was a pleasure working with Laura and I would have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending her to others.

Alan
Rated Excellent 4.8/5