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  • Occupational Asthma Claims

Occupational Asthma Claims

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Over five million people in the UK have been diagnosed with asthma, and the number of sufferers is on the rise. Asthma has a number of causes, and if you've developed it as a result of conditions at work, our solicitors could help you make an occupational asthma claim.

You may be suffering from asthma and have put it down to genetics, air pollution or hay fever, yet it's entirely possible that your condition is work-related or occupational asthma. Exposure to dust, vapour, gases or fumes are common causes of asthma, with some people affected more seriously than others.

Our lawyers may be able to help you claim work-related asthma compensation if you've experienced the following symptoms as a result of your employer not providing you with adequate protection from dust and fumes:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Tightness in your chest
  • Coughing
  • Asthma attacks

If your symptoms get worse as the working week goes on, or if they ease when you’re away from work, there’s a particularly good chance that you could claim.

We have extensive experience with industrial asthma claims, and aim to make the whole process as straightforward as possible for you. Claiming from an employer may seem daunting, but we'll support you every step of the way with expert advice. We work hard to secure the best compensation and care for our clients, and are active in pursuing changes to the law that better protect workers from risk.

Most of the occupational asthma claims we handle are on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that there's nothing for you to pay upfront, and that you won’t have to pay any legal fees if your claim isn’t successful*.

Call us today on 0800 056 4110 or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation about your claim.

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david johnston-keay
David Johnston-Keay Partner Meet the team

Occupational Asthma Claims - More Information

How much compensation you receive after developing workplace asthma will depend on a few factors related to your asthma, its circumstances, and the support and rehabilitation you need.

The amount of compensation you could claim is based on:

  • Current and future loss of earnings
  • Medical and travel expenses you've had to pay
  • Your care and support needs – both now and in the future
  • Modifications to your home
  • Mobility aids
  • Your pain and suffering

For more information, call us on 0800 056 4110 and we'll be happy to discuss your options in a free initial consultation.

While it is possible to develop occupational asthma in any job, there are a number of occupations that are more susceptible to, or have a higher risk of developing asthma.

  • Woodworkers and carpenters - inhaling sawdust and chemicals used to treat wood
  • Bakers - working with flour dust
  • Farming and agriculture - hay, soil, spores can all contribute to asthma
  • Welder and soldering - inhaling toxic fumes from welding equipment and gases
  • Hairdressing and beauty salons - some chemicals can be toxic and procedures such as nail technicians can produce airborne dusts.

Our lawyers can help you determine if your work may have contributed to asthma.

Your employer has a duty of care to keep you safe at work. Usually you need to make a compensation claim within three years of becoming aware that your asthma might be linked to your work.

Measures that an employer needs to take to protect your health may include:

  • Providing staff training and regularly reviewing and updating staff training
  • Performing CoSHH assessments, risk assessments and reviewing risks regularly
  • Displaying appropriate warning signs, hazard warnings and accidental exposure instructions
  • Installing air filtration and extraction systems to remove harmful dusts
  • Providing appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) such as face masks or breathing equipment
  • Carrying out regular maintenance and cleaning of safety equipment and filtration systems.

If an employer is not carrying out these safety procedures and you develop asthma, then speak to us about a possible claim.

Early compensation payments, also known as interim payments, are made in advance of any final settlement. They’re only made in an agreement with your opponent, if they admit that they're responsible for your illness.

Interim payments can be used to replace lost earnings, so you can afford to pay essential bills if your illness has meant you’ve been absent from work, as well as covering the cost of specialist medical care or mobility equipment.

We'll work hard to get an early admission of fault, and also to obtain early compensation payments to relieve any immediate financial pressures you’re feeling.

Yes, even if your employer has gone out of business you could still make a claim. The company will have been insured to deal with claims like this, so it will be the insurer’s responsibility for any compensation payments.

For more information, please visit our page on claiming if your employer has ceased trading.

If you wish to make a claim against your current employer, then any compensation would be paid by their insurer. It has been compulsory to have insurance for many years, so it’s highly likely that they will have this in place. There are also legal safeguards in place to protect you from unfair dismissal.

This basically means that your employer must be able to justify their reason for dismissing you in relation to your claim, which is highly unlikely. If you want to discuss this subject in more detail, our workplace illness solicitors will be able to talk you through your rights and what you can expect.

Our personal injury team deals with thousands of successful claims each year, and our award-winning lawyers are recognised as leaders in their fields.

Meet our team of workplace illness solicitors

client quote looking out to sea

I was recommended Irwin Mitchell by a solicitor friend of mine and I am very happy to say that the dedication and professionalism shown has completely supported this recommendation.”

Chris, client

Client Story – Mr Taylor

occupational asthma

Our client spent 26 years working at a local metalworking and grinding businesses. He worked exclusively on grinding machines to sharpen blades for use in different industries. When the machines are in operation, metalworking fluid can spray and become a mist in the air. The particular machines were old – they weren’t fitted with guards. The fluid, when breathed in, caused long term respiratory complications.

He started experiencing symptoms of breathlessness and despite antibiotic treatments from his GP, he was signed off work. While he was off, his symptoms began to get better, leading him to the conclusion that the poor working conditions were the cause of his illness. His doctor referred him to the Occupational Lung Disease Unit at the Birmingham Chest Clinic. Consultants at the clinic diagnosed him with occupational asthma and chronic rhinitis as a result of his exposure to the metalworking fluid.

Stewart contacted our occupational disease solicitors to see if we could help. We investigated his working conditions and collected evidence pointing to clear health and safety failings. With the support of our expert team, the settlement he received means the financial stress that came with not working for the past two years has been lifted.  He’s now able to focus on his recovery, and spending time with his family. Find out more about his claim.

asthma

"The Health and Safety Executive has very clear guidance available to employers on the practical steps they can take to avoid exposing their employees to potentially harmful environments."

david johnston-keay

"This settlement is a substantial award. It reflects the impact that asthma has had on his general health and on his ability to find alternative, comparable work." - David Johnston-Keay, Senior Associate

Read More Client Stories

Frequently Asked Questions

How Should My Employer Have Protected Me From Work-Related Asthma?

Employers have a duty of care to their employees, and the Health and Safety at Work Act states that they must protect you from any health risks in the workplace. This includes protecting you from things that can cause asthma, such as:

  • Dust (including sandblasting dust)
  • Welding fumes
  • Gases
  • Solvent vapours
  • Flour
  • Cleaning fluids
  • Mists

Preventative measures could be as simple as providing adequate ventilation in the workplace, or ensuring you can take regular breaks away from these substances. When working with more dangerous chemicals, respiratory protective equipment (RPE) should be supplied.

RPE should be fit for purpose – simple face covers will be appropriate for some environments, but others may require full face masks and filters, and these need to be fitted correctly.

Your employer should also tell you what the risks are, give you details on any exposure limits, such as how long you should be doing a certain kind of work, and train you in what to do in the event of an accident or emergency.

If you've not been provided with the right RPE, or you haven't been given enough training or information, then your employer’s negligence could have put you at risk. If you’re unsure, contact us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free consultation on your case.

Who Can Claim Compensation For Asthma?

People who are suffering from occupational asthma often put it down to genetics, air pollution or hay fever.

If your asthma has been caused by working conditions and your employer hasn't properly protected you from the risk, then you could be able to claim compensation. If you're not sure if your asthma has been caused at work, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Does your work involve exposure to anything that is associated with the onset of asthma? (this includes dust, welding fumes, gases, sandblasting dust, solvent vapours, flour, cleaning fluids or mists)
  • Does your asthma get worse during the working week?
  • Does your asthma flare up at work?
  • Does your asthma get better when you are not at work for any period of time?

If the answer to one or more of these questions is yes, then you could be suffering from occupational asthma, and we may be able to help you claim compensation.

Occupational asthma normally develops within six months to a year of being exposed to a substance, but in some cases it can take as long as 20 years to fully develop. The length of time it has taken to develop doesn't matter in terms of making a claim, but it's important to speak to us as soon as possible after noticing your symptoms, or associating them with your work environment, as you have three years from the date of this realisation to make a claim.

If you're not sure whether or not you'll be able to claim occupational asthma compensation, please contact us online or call us today on0800 056 4110 for a free consultation. We'll discuss your case, and offer our expert advice on whether we think you'll be able to claim.

Why Choose Irwin Mitchell For An Occupational Asthma Claim?

As a leading workplace illness and injury solicitor, we have a great deal of experience with occupational asthma compensation claims, as well as claims for other respiratory issues such as asbestos-related diseases and silicosis. We're very vocal in our calls for employers to provide better protection from asthma in the workplace, as are some of our successful clients.

We believe passionately that workers have the right to expect to be kept safe from harm at work. If your employer hasn't protected you from exposure to hazardous substances, then we'll fight for the compensation you deserve. Claiming compensation from an employer can be daunting, so we aim to make things as simple as possible, handling every aspect of your claim and offering expert advice in plain English.

We could also provide you with access to support so you can manage or treat your asthma if needed. Having already helped many clients make successful asthma claims, we know the kind of issues you will be facing and what positive action we can take to make a difference to you and your claim.

To find out more about how to claim for occupational asthma, and how we can help, call us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free initial consultation about your claim.

Read More FAQs

Occupational asthma claims - more information

Asbestos & Mesothelioma Claims We can help you claim if you're suffering from an asbestos related disease due to exposure at work
Industrial Illness Claims Guide Answers to some of your frequently asked questions concerning workplace illness claims
Employment Law We could help if you're facing issues with your current or former employer
Rehabilitation We can help you access the care and support you need to help with your recovery

Scottish Flag All Scottish cases will be handled by the Scottish law firm with which we are associated, Irwin Mitchell Scotland LLP. The law relating to funding is different in Scotland and you will receive separate advice about what that means as well as a separate funding agreement.

 

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