Occupational Asthma Claims

Occupational Asthma Claims

Duncan Lewis Industrial Claims Solicitors – No win no fee Occupational Asthma Claims

Asthma is a distressing and even life-threatening condition which affects the ability of the airways to function, resulting in a feeling of not being able to breathe, as well as tightness in the chest and lack of oxygen.

Some people may be born with asthma and asthmatic conditions – but working with industrial chemicals and solvents or fine particle substances can cause employees to develop allergic reactions which trigger occupational asthma.

Fine particle substances which can act as allergens for asthma sufferers include dust, lime, chalk, sand, silica, soot, plaster or flour.

Asthma occurs when allergens cause inflammation of the airways and prevent air flowing through the respiratory system. Exposure to allergens in the workplace can mean that a reaction in workers exposed to fumes, vapours, fine particles and dust becomes chronic and debilitating – although during periods away from work the condition may improve.

Industries where workers may have a high risk of developing occupational asthma include:

• Agriculture/farming
• Bakeries
• Chemical production
• Cleaning
• Coalmining
• Construction
• Gas works
• Flourmills
• Plastering
• Rubber industry
• Welding
• Woodwork
• Sandblasting.

Symptoms of occupational asthma may occur as a soon as a worker is exposed to a particular substance – or may develop over time and become permanent.

Employers have a legal a duty to protect employees from the risk of developing occupational asthma, by carrying out risk assessments, making sure workers are given protective safety equipment – and making sure ventilation in the workplace is optimal.

Employers must also offer workers any necessary medical checks for conditions which may be a hazard in their employment.

Duncan Lewis can advise workers who have been diagnosed with occupational asthma on how to make a no win no fee occupational asthma claim, if an employer has failed in its legal duty under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.

Making a Claim for Occupational Asthma Compensation

Workers who have been diagnosed with work-related asthma have three years from the date of diagnosis in which to make a no win no fee compensation claim, if an employer has failed to protect a worker from developing asthma – or failed to advise a worker of the risks under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.

Because asthma can take years to develop – or symptoms or an allergic reaction may grow worse over time – Duncan Lewis industrial claims solicitors can help with tracing the insurers of a former employer using the Employers’ Liability Tracing Office (ELTO) and records held at Companies House. Even if an employer is no longer in business or a company was taken over a former employer’s business, it is still possible to trace the Employers' Liability (EL) insurer to make a claim for occupational asthma compensation.

Duncan Lewis can also advise bereaved families whose loved one has lost their life after a severe asthma attack caused by workplace allergens – or was diagnosed at post-mortem with a respiratory condition made worse by occupational asthma – on how to make a no win no fee compensation claim.

Duncan Lewis Industrial Claims Solicitors – No win no fee Occupational Asthma Compensation Claims

Duncan Lewis industrial claims solicitors are leading firm of no win no fee lawyers and can advise victims of industrial diseases and their families on how to make asthma compensation claims – including historic cases where a disease or degenerative condition linked to occupational asthma and caused by exposure to hazardous chemicals, gases, vapours or dust at work has been diagnosed.

Duncan Lewis industrial claims solicitors employ medical experts in industrial diseases if it is necessary to prove a link between a claimant’s employment and later being diagnosed with occupational asthma caused by exposure to fumes, vapours or fine particle dust in the workplace.

Because of the limitation period for making claims for work-related asthma, Duncan Lewis industrial claims solicitors advise claimants to get in touch as soon as possible after diagnosis of occupational asthma to discuss making a compensation claim.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Occupational Asthma Compensation Claims call Duncan Lewis Industrial Claims Solicitors on 020 7923 4020.