Occupational Lung Disease Compensation

The British Thoracic Society report “the burden of lung disease highlights the increasing mortality rates due to occupational lung disease since the early 1990s”.  


The asbestos related disease mesothelioma accounts for a large proportion of these cases.  

Occupational lung diseases result from work related exposure to harmful substances either dust or gases and the chest disorders that can result.  

The substances known to cause lung disease include asbestos, silicon (which causes silicosis) and barium.  Another common type of occupational lung disease is asthma.  Lung cancer can result from occupational features and in particular asbestos exposure.  

Occupational asthma is a lung condition that affects the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs.  People with asthma have airways which have become irritated in some situations.  There are a number of fumes and dust at the work place that can cause industrial asthma.

Jobs with high rate of occupational asthma include:

 

  • Electronics (soldering flux)
  • The baking industry (people develop an allergy to something in the flour)
  • Paint spraying and plastics (chemicals called “isocyanides”
  • Jobs which bring people into contact with natural latex rubber (medical gloves)

 


Occupational asthma usually develops after months or even years or contact with the substance.  

Mesothelioma is a malignant disease normally affecting the pleura in the lung caused mainly by exposure to crocidolite asbestos in shipyards, building and insulation work.  It takes 20 or 30 years to affect the lung and is almost always caused by asbestos exposure.

Expert advice can be given to you free on all types of occupational disease claims from our legal specialists.

We have been dealing with asbestos and disease claims for over 25 years.  Damages recovered range up to £450,000.  

Contact our industrial disease specialists on 0800 027 1480 for free advice.

 

Remember you keep 100% of any compensation.  We will advise you on the help that can be given, the benefits you can recover and conduct your compensation claim.  Don’t hesitate to take advice as there are strict time limits for pursuing claims (normally three years from the date you are advised your condition is work related).