Emphysema claims

If you have been diagnosed with emphysema, after coming into contact with asbestos while at work, then you could be entitled to claim compensation, as your employers may be held responsible for your exposure.

What is emphysema?

Emphysema is a progressive condition that causes breathlessness and wheezing because air sacs in the lungs are inflamed. The disease does not develop immediately, and can take up to sixty years for symptoms to appear. This is due to asbestos particles that have been inhaled and remain in your lungs.

Although working with asbestos is one of the ways of contracting emphysema, there are a number of other employment environments where particles in the atmosphere may lead to developing the disease.

Who is at risk from contracting emphysema?

Working situations where lungs can be damaged by continual exposure to fine dust include:

• Working with wood
• Talcum powder
• Coffee
• Pesticides
• Drug
• Enzyme powders
• Metals
• Fibreglass

Farm workers are at risk of contracting emphysema from cereal grains and, in particular, inhaling spores from mouldy hay which becomes the condition allergic alveolitis, also known as ‘farmer's lung’.

Workers who smoke are at a much greater danger of emphysema if they are exposed to substances in the workplace which can cause lung disease. Poor ventilation closed-in working areas, and heat increase the risk of disease.

Employers must take all precautions they can to prevent workers from contracting emphysema in the workplace by ensuring every employee is provided with safety equipment, protective clothing and proper training.

Symptoms of emphysema

You may not realise you have one of these conditions and initially develop nose and throat irritation, flu-like symptoms, coughs and asthma all of which can be early indications of emphysema.

Damage to your lungs caused by an industrial illness cannot be reversed and emphysema eventually will prove fatal to sufferers because of their reduced lung function.

How we can help with your emphysema compensation claims

YouClaim’s experienced solicitors have successfully handled a number of emphysema compensation claims for our clients. If you have contracted emphysema due to the negligence of your employer, you could be entitled to take legal action and claim the compensation you deserve.

If successful, the damages paid out to you will help towards additional costs caused by the disease including expensive medical costs, long-term care, treatment and loss of income.

Our solicitors work on a No, Win, No Fee basis, which means that making a claim is completely risk-free. For more information or to speak to one of our emphysema claims team today, call us on 0800 10 757 85 or fill out an online enquiry form and we will be in touch.