If you have been told that you have an asbestos related medical condition, such as asbestos cancer or asbestos mesothelioma, you can claim damages if:

• You were told about the condition in the last three years
• If the insurers can be traced for the employers who you were working with at the time of the asbestos exposure
• If those employers failed to protect you from the exposure

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Occupational asthma is reported by several hundred people each year in Britain and there is considered to be a large number of employees who are not aware their breathing problem may be related to asthma.

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You have been in an accident.  You have been shunted in the rear by another driving paying no attention to the road; you have had to go to the doctor because your neck and back are becoming stiff. You have whiplash.

 

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Life after the loss of a limb requires constant support and assistance.  Friends and family give the support needed to cope and often suffer from enormous strain.

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Head and Brain Injury cases generally involve injuries to you or your loved one that will have a potentially horrendous impact on you, them and your whole family.

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

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Hand arm vibration syndrome comes from the use of hand held power tools and can be the cause of significant ill health (painful and disabling disorders of the blood vessels, nerves and joints).

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An overwhelming number of employees especially in the health service have been recklessly exposed to number serious and potentially deadly illnesses including HIV, and Hepatitis C, whilst working with infected patients.  

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Work related skin disease can affect people in a wide range of occupations.

Health and Safety Executive figures for dermatitis and other skin disorders show that the most common agents were “soaps and cleaners, wet work” and “rubber chemicals and materials”.

An analysis of HSE data found that 43% of cases of contact dermatitis were allergic in nature and 40% were irritant.

Other causative agents were hairdressing chemicals, nickels, resins, bleaches, preservatives and cobalt.

In 2009 there were 2455 cases of occupational skin disease reported by Dermatologists and Physicians.

If you have contracted dermatitis at work this will give rise to a personal injury claim if your employers have failed to carry out proper risk assessments or provide you with protective equipment.

Industries using chemicals that can give rise to industrial dermatitis claims include catering, hairdressing, health services, dentistry, printing, metal machining, motor vehicle repair and construction.

Some products can contain substances that can harm the skin or enter the body through skin contact.

•    To protect yourself you should look for hazard warning signs.
•    You should avoid direct contact between unprotected hands and substances.
•    Always avoid the skin contacting the substance by using protective equipment such as gloves. 
•    Wash your hands following contamination and check them for first signs of itchy, dry or red skin.

Under the COSHH regulations your employers have a strict duty to carry out assessments of risks from the use of chemicals.  You should check this is done if you are using a chemical and ask for the safety data sheet.

Claims for personal injury for industrial dermatitis can result in payment of compensation for pain and suffering of up to £12,000 for a severe condition

If you have contracted dermatitis at work you need advice from a specialist personal injury solicitor.  Lawford Kidd have 30 years’ experience in dealing with industrial disease personal injury claims.  Please telephone us on 0800 027 1480.

Around 2400 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the UK each year.  There are about five times as many cases in men as women.

Mesothelioma is still a rare cancer but is becoming more common.  The main cause of mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos.  At least 80% of people diagnosed with mesothelioma say they have been in contact with asbestos.  The risk is greater if the exposure occurs at an early age.

Some research shows that 1 in 10 people exposed to asbestos develop mesothelioma in the pleural membranes.

Common sources of exposure to asbestos are:

• Building industry
• Shipbuilding industry
• Manufacture of household appliances
• Motor industry
• Power Stations
• Telephone Exchanges

A recent new case study showed that risks are particularly high for shipbuilding workers and carpenters, and the risk is higher in people exposed to asbestos before the age of 30.

The study showed that 1 out of 17 British carpenters born in the 1940s would go on to develop mesothelioma.  Plumbers and mechanics are also at risk.

Asbestos was widely used in the years after the war (after 1945).

There is three main types of asbestos, blue, brown and white.

Asbestos causes mesothelioma as a result of the very hard tiny asbestos fibres working their way into the lining of the lung (the pleura).  This can result pleural mesothelioma.  Another form of mesothelioma is peritoneal mesothelioma which occurs in the abdomen.

One recent mesothelioma scare concerns small fibres which are made to toughen bike frames and hockey sticks have been identified as a possible cause of asbestos like cancer.  The carbon nanotubes which are used for strengthening tennis rackets and as a possible item for bullet proofing clothing have been found to cause harm in mice if the longer nanotubes become stuck in lung tissue. Research done by Professor Ken Donaldson, Chair of the Respiratory Toxicology at Edinburgh University identified the asbestos type problem and he said "This research shows there is a potential hazard in the manufacture of certain types of carbon nanotubes." Mesothelioma is a very serious cancer of the lining of the lung caused by asbestos fibres lodging in the lung and the condition often remains dormant for twenty or thirty years.  Current government statistics reveal that the death rate from mesothelioma is likely to peak at 2040 around the year 2016.

Lawford Kidd are specialist asbestos industrial disease solicitors and have dealt with mesothelioma claims for 30 years.

If you are diagnosed with mesothelioma you should take immediate specialist personal injury legal advice. 

We have acted for shipyard workers, mechanics, joiners, electricians and builders who have contracted mesothelioma.  Workers can also be at risk who are not in the building industry from by-stander exposure to asbestos.  There are cases where office workers have been present when asbestos insulation or removal of asbestos has taken place in the vicinity of their work area and they have contracted mesothelioma.  Many buildings had asbestos ceiling tiles (made with asbestolux) and if these are removed dust can be given off and enter the lungs.

Mesothelioma is a cancer with a poor prognosis.  However, research is taking place into the prevention and diagnosis of mesothelioma with chemotherapy surgery, biological therapies and treatment.

Support for mesothelioma patients can be obtained from Macmillan Cancer Support.

The industrial disease department of Lawford Kidd over a period of 30 years has recovered settlements up to £400,000 for asbestos mesothelioma victims.  We can advise you both on submitting a claim to former employers and also claiming compensation under the Pneumoconiosis Etc. (Workers Compensation) Act 1979 if your former employers have ceased trading.  The DSS have a free phone line for information 0800 279 2322.  You should also apply for industrial injuries disablement benefit in Scotland at 0845 608 8967.

You will need specialist help for mesothelioma claims as many employers are no longer trading and their insurance companies can be difficult to trace.  Lawford Kidd have a database of Scottish employers who are known to have worked with asbestos and against whom claims have previously succeeded.  We also have a database of those employers’ insurers.  You should contact us for free advice on 0800 027 1480.  Remember that you will keep 100% of your compensation.