On the 1st October 2008, The Mesothelioma Lump Sum Payments (Conditions and Amounts Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2008 and associated Act came into force. The Legislation sets up a new scheme to provide financial support for sufferers of mesothelioma within weeks of diagnosis. Sufferers of mesothelioma will be eligible for a payment whether they were employees, self employed or contracted mesothelioma from relatives clothing. Compensation will be paid if they have not already received compensation through civil litigation.