Industrial Disease Compensation Claims

Industrial disease compensation

Industrial disease compensation claims

A large number of personal injury compensation claims in Scotland don’t occur as a result of a one-off accident. Instead, a person’s exposure to certain things during the course of their employment can lead to industrial diseases or work-related illnesses.

This can include being exposed to certain substances, such as dust fumes and chemicals, continually being exposed to a noisy environment or undertaking tasks which require the use of vibrating tools or repetitive processes at work.

Some of the most common industrial diseases or work-related illnesses are;

• Respiratory Diseases

The most widely reported and well-known types of respiratory problems resulting from a person’s employment are asbestos-related diseases such as asbestosis or mesothelioma, occupational asthma, lung cancer and silicosis. These conditions can result as a result of either the general work environment or exposure to a particularly harmful substance that has not been properly controlled by their employer.

Employers have a duty to ensure that workers are not exposed to harmful substances, that workplaces are safe and suitable for workers and, where harmful substances need to be used, that suitable protections are in place.

• Substance Exposure Illnesses

Hazardous substances can result in short or long term illnesses and health conditions (including conditions such as dermatitis) depending on the substance an individual has been exposed to and the quantity and frequency of exposure. In the most severe cases, exposure to certain chemicals such as asbestos can have life-limiting and even fatal consequences.

• Work-related Strain and Vibration

These injuries or conditions usually occur as a result of exposure to the frequent use of vibrating power tools or as a result of a person’s work involving a repetitive process. The most common conditions as a result of such exposure are Vibration White Finger (VWF), Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Employers have a duty to protect workers from exposure to work equipment which is likely to cause them injuries either in the short or long term. Likewise, they also have a duty to ensure that a person’s work is organised in such a way that they do not continue doing the same activity to reduce or eliminate the chance of that person suffering a repetitive strain injury.

• Industrial Deafness and Tinnitus

People working in a particularly noisy environment using, for example, loud power tools, can suffer from reduced hearing, deafness or tinnitus, which is a condition causing ringing in the ears, if sufficient measures aren’t taken to protect them. Employers have a duty to offer protection against noise exposure by providing suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as ear defenders. They are also required to organise work in such a way so as to reduce prolonged exposure to loud noise.

Symptoms of an industrial disease can often take a long time to develop but it is important that you act when you think your workplace or working conditions may be affecting your health. Our expert personal injury solicitors have the experience necessary to advise and guide you on your path to a successful claim.

Making a claim

How do I make an industrial disease compensation claim?

Claiming against your employer can often seem like a daunting process but if your employer has not fulfilled their duty to protect you and provide a safe working environment then you are legally entitled to seek justice and compensation.

Watermans have acted for a large number of clients who have developed a range of industrial diseases and work-related illnesses and our team of personal injury specialist solicitors will be able to guide you through the claims process.

Suffering from an industrial disease or work-related illness can be painful, debilitating and have a negative effect on your mental and emotional wellbeing. Start your financial compensation claim today with Watermans, where we operate on a no win no feee basis. That means that if we don’t win, you don’t have to pay any solicitors fees.

It should be that simple.

How much compensation?

How much compensation for an industrial disease claim?

As with all personal injury claims, there is no definitive answer for how much compensation you could receive. It will depend on the severity of the case and how much your life will continue to be affected by living with an industrial disease or illness.

Why Watermans?

Why should I choose Watermans to pursue my claim?

Watermans make legal services look and feel easy so people can move forward in life. Watermans are one of the leading personal injury firms in Scotland. We act only for people who have been injured in an accident, and never for the at-fault party, nor insurance companies who defend these cases.

Our expert team are committed to doing everything to make the claims process straightforward for our clients following an accident. We take the hassle from you and fight each case to secure the maximum level of compensation. We also provide access to a range of additional services, such as physiotherapy and psychological treatment to ensure you recover from your injuries as soon as

possible and get your life back on track.

Our expertise in personal injury covers a wide range of areas including accidents at work, public liability claims, road traffic accidents, fatal and serious injury claims and cases relating to child and historical abuse.

We represent thousands of clients throughout Scotland each year, securing millions of pounds in compensation for our clients. We work on a no win a fee basis, which means that if your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t end up out of pocket.