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Despite its decreasing use and the regulatory stipulations laid out in the Control of Lead at Work Regulations, lead poisoning is still a health issue for some UK workers. Many of the health problems associated with lead poisoning can lead those who have suffered dangerous levels of exposure to make a work accident compensation claim.
There are three employment sectors in the UK particularly at risk of lead poisoning whose exposed workers may at some point need to make a work accident compensation claim. These are:
Lead work accident compensation claim risk sector no. 1 lead battery industry, accounting for 21% of all work injury lead exposure cases.
Lead work accident compensation claim risk sector no. 2 smelting, refining, alloying and casting, accounting for 16% of all work injury lead exposure cases.
Lead work accident compensation claim risk sector no. 3 work with metallic lead and lead containing alloys, accounting for 10% of all work injury lead exposure cases.
Other lead work accident compensation claim risk sectors badge and jewellery enamelling, glass making, manufacture of pigments and colours; potteries, glazes and transfers; manufacture of inorganic and organic compounds; shipbuilding, repairing and breaking; demolition industry; painting of buildings and vehicles, and the scrap industry are all sectors with a lead work injury risk.
Symptoms associated with lead poisoning and lead work accident compensation claims
There are a variety of symptoms associated with lead exposure. If these are exhibited together with a high level of lead in the blood an employee may have a strong case for a work accident compensation claim. A medical consultant to one of Britain's leading no win, no fee solicitors provided the following list of lead poisoning symptoms:
Lead exposure symptoms often cited in work accident compensation claims memory loss, headaches, tiredness, stomach cramps, kidney problems, impaired physical coordination, vomiting, diarrhoea, hearing problems, insomnia, concentration difficulties, stomach pain, a blue line around the gums, anaemia, high blood-pressure, abnormal behaviour, foot drop, wrist drop, coma, convulsions and death.
Lead exposure can lead to the following health problems which are often cited in work accident compensation claims kidney disease, kidney failure, permanent brain damage, hearing problems, damage to central nervous system and infertility.
Lead exposure can lead to the following health problems in women which might be cited in a lead work accident compensation claim miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, foetal development complications.
What is an unacceptable blood-lead level?
This depends on who you are. If you are a man who is over 18 or a woman who is beyond child-bearing age then if your blood-lead level reaches more than 50 micrograms (known as the action-level) of lead per decilitre of blood your employer must take steps to reduce work accident and health hazards associated with lead.
If you are a woman of child-bearing age the action level is 25 micrograms of lead. For a man under 18 the action level is 40 micrograms.
Once it has been established that an employee has reached a blood-lead level requiring action if the employer does not do all of the following he may risk a union representative or no win, no fee solicitor being able to make a strong work accident compensation claim against him in the future:
Speak to medical professional about possible additional protective action.
Reinforce correct hygiene measures.
Make a review of lead poisoning measures and their effectiveness.
If the blood-lead level reaches what is called suspension-level, the employee must cease working until a doctor considers it safe to resume work. The suspension-level for men over 18 and women past child-bearing age is 60 micrograms; for women of childbearing age it is 30 micrograms; for men under 18 it is 40 micrograms.
Instances where an employer might be considered negligent in a lead work accident compensation claim
The employer must ensure that protective and respiratory equipment is current and maintained. The employer must also ensure that necessary health and safety training and refresher courses are carried out. Failure to do any of these could result in an employee having a stronger work accident compensation claim, whether it is through a union representative or a no win, no fee claim.
Making a no win, no fee work accident compensation claim
If you've suffered lead exposure or any other kind of work injury while giving your labour and services to a company or employer you may be entitled to claim work accident compensation.
At YouClaim, we have a wealth and experience of expertise in dealing with similar claims. In fact, through our relationship with our skilled and sensitive solicitors we have an excellent success rate when comes to dealing with work accident claims.
We are no win, no fee specialists and will operate at entirely no cost to you. If you win, we will not, under any circumstances, take a cut of your compensation claim payout. Nor, if you lose, will you incur any of the opposing sides legal fees as we take out an insurance policy to cover for this eventuality.
One thing our panel of personal injury solicitors often reiterate is the benefit of making a work accident claim at the earliest possible opportunity. This is because memories are still fresh and important documents are still likely to be around.
This is why, if you feel you have a valid work accident claim, we urge you to contact us today and speak to one of our claims team. You can do this in one of three ways; fill out an online claim form, request a call back at a time suitable to you, or call us now on 0800 10 757 95 and let us help you help yourself by securing the health and compensation you deserve.
