Overview
If your asthma has been made worse by your work, or you have suffered occupational asthma, compensation may be available. The Hugh James occupational asthma lawyers will provide the expert help that you need, using their expertise in applying complex laws and regulations for proving your case. We will also instruct the right medical experts to prove that your work has caused your injury.
To get started with your occupational asthma claim, or to receive free guidance and a no obligation consultation, please call us today or fill in an enquiry form.
We can provide answers to frequently asked questions such as:
- Am I entitled to occupational asthma compensation?
- What will it cost?
- What are my rights with occupational asthma claims?
- Is there financial help available?
- Can I have more treatment?
- Will this affect my job?
What is occupational asthma?
Occupational asthma is one of the fastest growing occupational disease in the UK affecting up to 3,000 people per year. It can be caused by a variety of different substances and chemicals and people carrying out a variety of different work can be affected and be suitable for occupational asthma compensation.
Whatever causes someone to develop or aggravate asthma, suffering from it can have a major impact upon your life and work – making it difficult for some to work at all. Reactions to the substances or chemicals can be sudden or can occur over long periods of time. Often people don’t know that they have been exposed to harmful substances and don’t immediately link their symptoms to their work. It can also be difficult proving that the chemicals have caused an injury.
What are the symptoms of occupational asthma?
There are two main types of occupational asthma which are known as allergic occupational asthma and irritant-induced occupational asthma.
Both types cause general symptoms of shortness of breath, coughing, tightness in the chest, or wheezing. Allergic asthma is usually caused by reaction to substances in your working environment and irritant-induced asthma is caused when there is an accidental spillage of a chemical substance.
What workers at high risk of occupational asthma claims?
While there are a range of industries that can put you at risk, certain groups of workers can be at higher risk than others. These tend to workers employed in the manufacturing industries, especially ones that deal with toxic chemicals and the manufacturing of heavy equipment.
Other areas of industries that are high risk are:
- Healthcare and beauty products;
- Engineering to include woodwork, soldering and welding;
- Agriculture especially working with animals.
Why Hugh James?
Hugh James has considerable expertise in occupational asthma claims for nurses, healthcare workers and other professions across England and Wales.
We have helped thousands of people recover compensation in occupational asthma claims after being injured by their work. We know that asthma can mean a really difficult time for you and your family, so let our experience guide you.
We can explore other ways to help you whilst you get back on your feet including:
- Seeking interim payments where possible
- Exploring treatment and other rehabilitation options with insurers
- Providing benefit advice
- A free financial check-up
- Financial planning
There are strict time limits in occupational asthma claims. Don’t delay and contact us immediately for free initial advice. Our team of occupational asthma solicitors are accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Let Hugh James help you. We are the personal injury experts who always have our clients at heart. Our expertise and experience in this area enable us to win cases which other lawyers would not pursue.
Key contact
Your questions answered
Making the initial enquiry to see if you are able to pursue an occupational asthma compensation claim is easy, simply contact our specialist occupational asthma solicitors either via telephone or our online enquiry form.
To make pursing a compensation claim as easy as possible you will not have to visit any of our offices. Where necessary we can arrange home visits across the country and shall verbally discuss everything with you via telephone.
In our initial consultation we shall discuss your potential claim free of charge, without obligation. If your claim has a reasonable chance of being successful, we will then run you through your options and give you the opportunity to instruct us to act on your behalf on a no win, no fee, basis.
Our team of lawyers are accredited by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
This really depends on your circumstances and the severity of your injury or illness. This can vary between individuals but be rest assured that our specialist team is experienced in ensuring that you and your family receive the maximum compensation you are entitled to.
Compensation will include an award for the pain and suffering caused by your illness. In addition, compensation can also be claimed in respect of care needs, financial losses, medical care and treatment.
If you have been injured at work and then exercise your right to bring a claim for compensation against your employer, you should then not be adversely treated by your employer. The reality is that although you may be bringing a claim against your employer in name, your claim will actually be handled by your employer’s insurers or solicitors.
We will trace the employers’ liability insurers of your former employers who will be responsible for paying the compensation you are entitled to.
You have three years from the date you were diagnosed with an industrial disease or illness condition to make a claim. There are exceptions to this, and it is worth contacting us in any event, even if you are outside this time. If a loved one has passed away from an industrial disease or illness condition, you have three years from the date of their death.
If you were a contractor or sub-contractor and somebody else was responsible for your health and safety, then you will be able to claim. You must prove that it was not your responsibility to control your working environment. Unfortunately, if you are self-employed, you are solely responsible for your working environment and therefore you will not be able to pursue a claim.
Only a small percentage of industrial disease claims brought will actually proceed to trial though we do prepare every case in depth to make sure we are ready should it go to court.
The procedural system is geared towards encouraging parties to be open with each other so that any claims for compensation can be settled without the need for going to court, which can save both time and cost.
A lot of people are naturally nervous and uncomfortable about going to court. We understand this and will advise you every step of the way, should your case reach a trial.
Contact one of our experts
Fill in the form and one of our experts will get in touch with you shortly.