Workplace asthma and finding a personal injury solicitor
For those people who suffer from occupational asthma, the condition can have a major effect on their health and lifestyles. Once occupational asthma has been diagnosed by a doctor, the question of finding the right personal injury solicitor to help claim compensation for the condition will usually be a pertinent one.
An occupational asthma sufferer's decision to contact a personal injury solicitor will inevitably be preceded by a difficult period of uncertainty when the symptoms of the condition first become apparent.
This period will commonly last for months and sometimes even years. UK personal injury solicitors who handle compensation claims resulting from occupation asthma frequently report that their clients report the following symptoms:
A lessening in their asthma symptoms when they are away from work for extended periods.
Asthma symptoms tend to be worse during the working week.
Symptoms of asthma may be worse after work and sleep is frequently disturbed by symptoms.
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Wheezing
For more information about the symptoms of asthma go to: www.asthma.org.uk.
Substances associated with occupational asthma
Personal injury solicitors report that there are a variety of different respiratory sensitizers (substances that cause asthma) cited in the compensation claims of affected workers.
The most commonly cited of these substances are:
Isocyanates In the UK, the most common cause of occupational asthma and occupational asthma industrial illness compensation claims. Those who work with foundry cores, with spray paints and in adhesive reliant industries are commonly at risk.
Latex Jobs where the use of latex gloves, such as many medical professions, are often linked with occupational asthma.
Agricultural dusts Jobs where workers are exposed to dust from plants, animals and insects carry a high occupational asthma risk.
Wood dust Carpenters, joiners and sawmillers are at risk, especially those who work with hard wood. Western red cedar seems to carry a particularly high occupational asthma risk.
Colophony Those who work in the electronics industries and those exposed to soldering fumes may be at a high risk of developing occupational asthma as a result of exposure to colophony.
Flour and grain dust Bakers, grain transporters and farm workers may be at risk.
Occupational asthma and employer responsibility
If all employers fulfilled their obligations towards ensuring they reduce the occupational asthma risk, far fewer people would need to contact personal injury solicitors to make compensation claims for the condition.
An employer's responsibilities to minimise workers' exposure to respiratory sensitizers are outlined in the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994.
Among an employer's responsibility to workers is a duty to inform them of how to spot the early symptoms of occupational asthma and an obligation to provide frequent health checks of workers who are exposed to respiratory sensitizers.
Making a no win, no fee claim with the right personal injury solicitor
If you believe that you have developed asthma as a result of exposure to sensitizers in your workplace, you may be able to claim industrial illness compensation.
YouClaim have years of experience in helping people successfully claim the compensation they deserve.
We select only the UK's finest personal injury solicitors to join our panel and are governed by the high standards of the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Making an industrial illness compensation claim with us is both cost-free and a risk-free business. This is because we will never, at any stage, charge you a penny in costs or fees. Nor will we ever take a cut from your compensation award, meaning all our clients get to keep 100% compensation.
If you would like to take advantage of our excellent service, you can get in touch with us in several ways.
Discuss your claim live on e-chat, ask us to call you back, fill out an online claim form or, alternatively, call us now on 0800 10 757 95.
