Industrial Diseases (inc; Asbestosis - Mesothelioma)

Industrial diseases are caused when persons are not adequately protected from dangerous substances or other hazards such as unacceptable levels of noise or vibration. Employers are required by law to maintain a safe working environment for their employees. If an employer fails in this respect, then they could be liable to an Employers Liability Claim.

A person’s health can deteriorate from a work related disease many years after they have stopped working. In these cases compensation may still be available. However claims proceedings would need to commence within 3 years of the diagnosis.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is the name given to the disease associated with the material asbestos. Asbestos was used routinely in many everyday applications before it was eventually recognised as being a dangerous material. It is this wide use that is now causing severe health problems to those people unfortunate enough to have worked in an environment contaminated by the invisible dust that asbestos gives off.

Inhaling this dust is what causes the problems, which can take more than 20 years to develop. The most common problem is lung disease with symptoms of breathlessness, wheezing, coughing, chest pain, anaemia and tiredness.

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that often affects people who have had exposure to asbestos with malignant cells forming in their lungs and chest wall, although it can also develop in the heart or the tunica vaginalis.

Most sufferers are found to have worked in jobs where asbestos dust would have been routinely inhaled. Due to the nature of the condition diagnosis is usually at an advanced stage, by which time it is beyond cure.

There are many other work-related illnesses that affect thousands of ordinary people. If you feel that your employer has failed to protect your health properly then you should consult a specialist personal injury solicitor to investigate your case. With the correct professional help you may well be entitled to claim compensation.

Procedures for making a claim are now well established and are often fought on a No Win No Fee basis.