The
Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team (DAST) was established in March 2002
and in June 2007 became a registered charity. (No. 1119684)
The
Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team is a registered charity for the
relief of people who have suffered ill-health, injury or become
disabled from their work with asbestos.Also helping their families by
the provision of support, advice and assistance. DAST is also linked
with other asbestos support groups throughout the UK and abroad to work
together to ensure all those injured are offered the support and
assistance as required.
The Derbyshire Asbestos Support
Team will conduct home visits or
hospital visits.
Our services include:-
Help with Industrial Injuries
Disablement Benefit forms - This is a
weekly allowance paid by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) if
your asbestos related illness has been caused by your employment.
This benefit is not payable for pleural plaques.
Help with Government
Compensation Scheme – This scheme is
designed to provide compensation for those sufferers of asbestos
diseases who are unable to claim compensation from employers who
negligently exposed them to asbestos dust for example the firm no
longer exists. Help completing the new 2008 Mesothelioma 2008
Scheme.
Advice on making a civil claim
– either by using one of
DAST’s panel of specialist solicitors who have expertise in
dealing with asbestos related disease claims or through a
sufferer’s trade union or former trade union.
Help with all other benefit
claims - including Incapacity benefit, blue badge scheme, Carer's
Allowance, Pension credit etc.
We can put you in contact with
others who have the same disease. We also support Carers and can
put carers in contact with someone else also in the position of caring
someone with mesothelioma or an asbestos related disease.
We are also compiling a
database of companies who have exposed their
employees to asbestos this will help in providing witnesses in support
of civil or benefits claims.
Although we are called the
Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team we offer
advice and information to asbestos-related disease victims and their
families in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire,
Leicestershire, Burton-on-Trent and Lincolnshire. We will carry out
home visits throughout these areas.
The Support Group relies upon
volunteers.Sufferers and their families
are encouraged to have an input into the working of the group and
attend meetings where they can raise concerns and talk to others and
share their experiences.
We also campaign to ensure that
sufferers of asbestos related diseases
or their families can access justice. Many workers such as those
in the construction industry are still at risk from accidental exposure
to asbestos. DAST continues to highlight the dangers of being
exposed to asbestos.
If you have any queries about
anything, do not hesitate to contact us. Past enquiries have been
about finding good travel insurance or someone to help with gardening.
DAST continues to grow in
strength and since we were established we
have given help and advice to over 700 people with asbestos related
diseases.
DAST RECEIVES AWARD FROM TUC
Joanne is
pictured receiving the award from TUC regional secretary
Roger McKenzie
Joanne
Carlin, co-ordinator of the Derbyshire
Asbestos Support Team was presented with a TUC health and safety award.