UK OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA COMPENSATION CLAIMS

If you are currently suffering from occupational asthma then we can help you to get the compensation you deserve. We are able to recommend your claim to no win no fee specialist solicitors who are members of The Law Society panel of personal injury experts. The solicitors we recommend have many years experience in dealing successfully with thousands of industrial illness claims.

It is estimated that over 2 million UK workers in a wide range of industries and occupations are potentially exposed to agents known to be associated with the development of asthma and occupational factors have been associated with up to 15% of the disabling asthma cases in the UK. Workers in hundreds of occupations are exposed to substances in the air that may cause irritation in susceptible people. Many of these substances are very common and not ordinarily considered hazardous. Workers most likely to develop the disease are those with a personal or family history of allergies or asthma and frequent exposure to highly sensitizing substances however the disease also can also develop when there are no known allergies. Only a small proportion of workers who are exposed to irritants go on to develop this disease

Occupational asthma is a lung disease in which the airways overreact to dusts, vapours, gases, or fumes that exist in the workplace. It is usually reversible however permanent lung damage can occur if exposure to the substance that causes the disease continues. In highly sensitive people even very low levels of exposure may provoke an episode. When these irritants are inhaled:

• Airway inflammation begins.
• Muscles in the airways tighten.
• The airway tissue swells.
• Too much mucus is produced.

Workers may be exposed to a wide variety of airborne contaminants, such as dust, welding fumes, gases, sandblasting dust, solvent vapours and mists. Inhaling dirty workroom air can irritate the respiratory system and cause sneezing, coughs, chest tightness or difficulty in breathing. Prolonged exposure over months or years can lead to chronic long-term lung disease including chronic bronchitis, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema. Studies carried show that in most cases asthma develops in 6-12 months, but may occur within 10 days or be delayed as long as 25 years.

Indicators of occupational asthma include:

• Cough or wheeze that improves away from work.
• A high risk occupation.
• Worsening of pre-existing controlled asthma.
• Newly diagnosed asthma in an adult.

Your claim will be dealt with on a no win no fee basis and there will be no financial contribution from you. Your compensation will be paid in full with no deductions. You will not have to pay for any disbursements and you will not have to pay for any insurance. We are not a claims management Company and you will not have to deal with any unqualified member of staff.

If you would like free legal advice on making a compensation claim then just complete the occupational asthma report form and a member of the Law Society panel of personal injury experts who is a specialist in industrial illness will telephone with advice at no cost and with no obligation.