Industrial Disease
Hearing loss and industrial deafness claims
The term ‘industrial disease’ is used to describe a condition or illness which has developed after an exposure to a dangerous substance in the workplace or unsafe working conditions.
Claims involving industrial diseases are often a lot more difficult to deal with than other types of personal injury claims. The exposure which caused the illness could have occurred a long time ago and expert evidence to prove a link between the illness and the employment may be required. For these reasons, it is important that you choose an experienced solicitor when deciding to make an industrial disease compensation claim.
There are many different types of industrial diseases you can develop after being exposed to hazardous substances or dangerous conditions at work.
Common industrial diseases include:
- Asbestos Related Disease Claims & Mesothelioma
- Hearing Loss Claims
- Pneumoconiosis Claims
- Respiratory Claims
- Work-Related Asthma Claims
- Work-Related Dermatitis Claims
Asbestos Related Disease Claims
Asbestos is now a banned substance, such that it is illegal even to dispose of it. In the past, asbestos was used in construction for decades, and can be found lining lots of buildings built from the turn of the last century. As a sheet it can be perfectly safe, however the dust from this mineral is deadly. It can also take decades for the effects to present themselves. Working with it frequently, and inhaling the dust when it is released, has led to instances of many serious diseases.
Arguably the most deadly is Mesothelioma, or Asbestosis in the common tongue. This is a specific disease that occurs due to exposure to asbestos fibres. As many as 2,000 deaths every year in the UK are due to mesothelioma. Often, people suffering from this disease have worked in heavy industry, and the disease can lay dormant as a different problem for some 20 – 50 years after contact in the workplace. Very often the condition will start as a condition named Plural Plaques, and is a big problem.
Historically, men and women working in industry have been known to have fibres on clothing, and so close relatives of employees that have come into contact with asbestos.
Hearing Loss Claims
Working in heavy industry, or I call centres or any workplace that has a high exposure to noise can permanently effect your hearing.
Often, hearing loss is put down to old age, and whilst this may be the case, rapid hearing loss is so very often down to the industry you have worked in. It’s an employer’s responsibility to protect their employees’ hearing. Simple things such as ear protectors or ear plugs should have always been provided.
Occupational deafness is a genuine ailment for which you can be compensated. Noise induced hearing loss is common in engineering, coal mining, ship building, working for British Telecom, wood yards and factories.
Pneumoconiosis Claims
Pneumoconiosis is a term that covers a group of chest conditions including asbestosis, silicosis, miner’s lung and welder’s lung. People suffering with any of those conditions have weakened lungs and a reduced quality of life. You could be entitled to make a claim for pneumoconiosis if you are suffering with one of these conditions from workplace airborne particles exposure.
Respiratory Claims
There are many different respiratory conditions that can affect an industrial employee. These include COPD, emphysema, Farmer’s Lung, occupational asthma, phurnacite exposure, silicosis and solvent exposure. Dust and fumes that have been inhaled during industrial employments can cause everything from coughs and wheezing to lung cancer. All of these are unwanted consequences and should be considered for industrial disease compensation, regardless of the severity of the symptoms.
Work-Related Asthma Claims
People that have never previously suffered with asthma, or have not inherited it, may find that they newly acquire the condition due to the workplace inhalation of irritants such as gases, fumes, harmful dusts and vapours. The sufferer might find that they feel tight-chested, short of breath or even that the workplace irritant substance triggers asthma attacks. A work-related asthma compensation claim would be entirely justified if this were the case.
Driscoll Kingston Solicitors act on a no win no fee basis where possible, 98% of our Passenger Claims are on a no win no fee basis which means there is no financial risk to you.
