(Also known as the Dust Diseases Authority – formerly known as the Dust Diseases Board)
icare Dust Diseases Care may provide compensation to sufferers who have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease as a result of being exposed whilst working as an employee in NSW. Dependent family members may also be entitled to compensation (even if the worker never registered in his or her life time). It doesn’t matter where a person lives, they still may be eligible for support or compensation, as long as the asbestos dust exposure occurred whilst working as an employee in NSW.
Asbestos related diseases covered by icare Dust Diseases Care
Asbestosis | Asbestos Related Pleural Diseases (ARPD) | Malignant Mesothelioma | Asbestos Induced Lung Cancer (Carcinoma)
icare Dust Diseases Care does not cover all asbestos related diseases. They do not cover ‘pleural plaques’ as it is not reported as an asbestos related disease that causes disability, and therefore it is considered the diagnosed person has the ability to continue work.
What icare Dust Diseases Care does
icare Dust Diseases Care provides limited financial compensation, pays for medicals and also material type support. They also conduct lung screening at their Sydney CBD facility and at work places throughout NSW, via their mobile screening trailer unit, and a new portable service – see the two tiles below for further information. Apart from their Lung Screening Services, icare Dust Diseases Care does not have their own care providers, they utilise services already available in the community.
Along with compensation, they also fund on-going assistance to improve quality-of-life. This is perhaps the main advantage of being part of being registered with icare Dust Diseases Care. The type of things we are talking about on the personal side, can include funding of; medication and treatment from health professionals; oxygen; mobility aids; recliner chairs; personal care; as well as general assistance such as domestic support; lawn mowing; and respite care for families. On the material side they may pay to have things done like fitting handrails in bathrooms and toilets; install ramps; and even install temporary portable facilities. Whilst this is not something many people want to talk about, they also compensate a realistic amount for funeral services.
The care role of icare Dust Diseases Care for those registered with it, can be summed up as being the body responsible for organising and/or paying for a myriad of Supportive Care Options as outlined above. This normally happens after a GP, the treating specialist, occupational therapist, or third party responsible person decides the necessity for them. To facilitate your care and support you will be allocated a ‘Liaison officer‘ who will become your go to person to help you work out your ongoing care requirements and to ensure you get whatever you are entitled to.
To gain all these benefits if you qualify to be registered with icare Dust Diseases Care, you must apply and be accepted. It is preferable you contact a specialist litigator to further talk about registering with icare Dust Diseases Care before filling and submitting your application. They will discuss with you how to register if you qualify, when to register and importantly, what information to include, before filling out, and sending in your application.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, and your exposure was whilst working as an employee in NSW, it is important to contact an experienced, accredited asbestos related disease specialist litigator as soon as being diagnosed. They can help ensure the registration and acceptance process takes place in a timely manner.
Note: Registering and receiving compensation and care services from icare Dust Diseases Care does not negate your right to make a common law claim for compensation. In fact, being eligible to register with icare Dust Diseases Care will normally assist a specialist asbestos litigator to gain you compensation from the likes of James Hardie Industries, CSR, BHP etc. It is important to arrange a specialist asbestos or occupational dust litigator for legal help to not only assist in filling out the icare Dust Diseases Care application forms, but also to commence common law litigation as well.
You can find mesothelioma and other asbestos related disease specialist litigators to advice you, and and if eligible, help you register with icare Dust Diseases Care and also make a common law claim, by clicking [here].
The icare Dust Diseases Care website can be accessed by clicking [here].
