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Industrial Disease Compensation Claims

Trustpilot

Services in: Industrial Disease Compensation Claims

    • Silicosis Compensation Claims
    • Stress At Work Claims
    • Occupational Asthma Claims
    • Vibration White Finger/HAVS Claims
    • Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis Compensation Claims
    • Occupational Dermatitis Claims
    • Chemical Poisoning Claims
    • COPD and Emphysema Claims
    • Industrial Disease & Illness Claims Guide

If you’ve developed an illness through doing your job, such as occupational lung disease or vibration white finger/HAVS, you could make an industrial disease claim for compensation.

We understand the awful toll being diagnosed with an illness can be in any situation. But knowing it could’ve been avoided if your employer had shown more care can leave you and your loved ones feeling angry, confused, and betrayed. That’s why we’ll work tirelessly to get you every penny of compensation you deserve.

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, your employer has a legal duty of care to protect you from harm while at work. This involves providing personal protective equipment (PPE), training, and giving you enough breaks. Their failing to do this can have life changing and sometimes fatal consequences for you and your loved ones.

Our specialist team of solicitors have been securing compensation for our clients in industrial disease claims for decades. This has given us the experience and knowledge to get you every penny you deserve. It’s also shown us the devastating consequences people are left facing because of their employer’s negligence. That’s why we’ll treat your claim with sensitivity and offer advice that’s tailored to your unique circumstances.

Speak to one of our industrial disease solicitors today about your circumstances. We’ll spend time getting to understand your situation and what could’ve been prevented. We’ll then advise you on the best way to proceed with your claim.

Most of our claims are made using a no win no fee agreement. This means you’ll have nothing to pay upfront, and if your claim’s unsuccessful you won’t need to pay anything at all. If your claim is successful, most of our fees will be paid by your opponent.

Why choose us to handle your industrial disease claim?

Our specialist team of solicitors have been successfully settling industrial disease claims for many years. We’ve been involved in many high-profile cases and have an unparalleled set of expertise and experience.

We’re consistently praised by independent legal guides such as Chambers and Partners. They’ve ranked us as a top-tier law firm for industrial disease claims since 2005, stating: “The firm has a talented and very dedicated team to assist its clients in getting the best outcome from their case. They are well suited to handling complex and sophisticated matters.”

The Legal 500 ranks us in their highest tier for personal injury lawyers. A client testimonial featured on their website states: “I always feel as if I am well informed and that I have a whole team of people working hard for me to get me the best possible outcome for me and my future financial stability.”

We take the time to get to know you and get a full understanding of your circumstances. We’ll act on your instructions and keep you informed throughout the process. We make a point of leaving out legal jargon and focus on giving you advice that’s clear and tailored to your situation.

We also offer you help from our wider teams. We’ve an in-house Support and Rehabilitation team of clinical specialists, who’ll be there to get you any help or rehabilitation you’d benefit from. Our connections with charities and support networks around the UK means we’re able to secure help that’s local for you.

Our Asset Management team of financial advisors will be here to offer you advice once your claim’s settled. They’ll help you to make sure your compensation lasts for the rest of your life.

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Satinder Bains
Satinder Bains Partner Meet the team

More information on industrial disease & workplace illness claims

If you develop an illness through the activities involved in your job, it could be classed as an industrial disease.

Examples of an industrial disease include:

  • Occupational lung disease, such as occupational asthma
  • Vibration white finger/HAVS
  • Chemical poisoning
  • Silicosis
  • Hypersensitivity pneumonitis
  • COPD or emphysema
  • Pleural thickening
  • Dermatitis.

If your employer has failed in their duty of care towards you, and this has resulted in you developing a work-related illness, you could make a claim.

Your first step towards claiming is contacting us for a free initial consultation. There’s no obligation to pursue your claim with us after this step, but you’ll get an understanding of how we’d go about getting you compensation.

If you choose to go ahead, we’ll start by gathering evidence to support your claim. This might include your employment and medical records. You’ll have a medical examination with a specialist, who’ll be able to link your illness with your job.

We’ll contact your employer and try to get an early admission of responsibility. This makes the claims process much quicker and removes a lot of the stress for you.

If your employer won’t accept responsibility, we’ll need to prove it. In this instance, or if they disagree with the amount of compensation we think you need, we’ll begin court proceedings. Court proceedings can often lead to a better outcome in your claim. We’ll always advise you of what we think is best before acting on your instructions. In many cases, claims are still settled out of court even when trial dates have been set.

Whatever happens, we’ll do all we can to make the claims process as stressless and simple as possible for you.

Three years is the normal time limit for making an industrial disease claim. This period starts from the moment you became aware your illness may be linked to your work.

The time limit may be shorter if your illness occurred while you were working outside of the UK.

If you’re claiming on behalf of a loved one who’s died, you’ve three years to make a claim, either from the date of their death or the date you received the post-mortem results.

In any situation, we always urge you to contact us as soon as possible about claiming compensation. This makes it easier for us to gather evidence and the details will be fresher in your mind.

Every industrial disease claim is unique, and so is the amount of compensation awarded. Industrial disease covers a broad range of illnesses.

The amount of compensation you get will depend on:

  • The illness you developed
  • The severity of your illness
  • Your medical and travel expenses
  • If you’ve needed any modifications to your home
  • Your current and future care and support needs
  • Any current and future loss of earnings
  • Your pain and suffering
  • Mobility aids you may need. 

To get a better idea of how much compensation you could get from an industrial disease claim, speak to us today. Once we’ve a better understanding of your situation, we’ll be able to put a value on your claim.

If your loved one left a valid Will, the executors appointed by that Will can bring a claim on behalf of their estate. If your loved one died intestate (without a valid Will), there are certain family members who are entitled to act as the administrator of their estate. There is an order of priority to act as an administrator, which is dependent on the relationship with the deceased. The executor or administrator is also known as the personal representative.

The personal representative effectively brings the claim which the deceased would have done if they had not passed away and generally includes compensation for:

  • Their pain and suffering
  • Loss of earnings
  • Care and support
  • Medical expenses.

Any compensation that’s paid after your loved one has died will be distributed according to their Will, or the intestacy rules.

If you were dependent on the person who died, financially or for services, you may have a claim in your own right. However, in most circumstances, this type of claim is made by the deceased’s personal representatives at the same time as the claim on behalf of the deceased’s estate.

We can help you to access support after the loss of a loved one. You can find out more about this on our bereavement page.

testicular cancer

Your encouragement and advice to pursue the claim was good and we are both grateful for your support. Thank you again for your diligence and support throughout the process."

Don, client

Client Story – Workplace Illness Client

Steel and metal workers case

Robert worked at a scrap metal merchant company in the 1980s. The warehouse where he worked was very dirty and dusty from tonnes of metal being crushed daily. There was very poor ventilation and Robert hardly ever got to work outside.

Part of Robert’s job was to test scrap for beryllium using a hand-held blow torch. Robert was exposed to high amounts of metal fumes and dust.

Our workplace accident solicitors secured our client, a compensation settlement after he developed berylliosis, a lung disease, from exposure to beryllium dust at work. Find out more about the case.

industrial disease - breathing


After his local hospital ran a few tests, Robert was diagnosed with berylliosis, a life-limiting lung disease, caused by the dust he’d breathed in when working .

alex shorey


“Robert has suffered for a long time with the health effects of breathing in so much metal dust. I’m very pleased I was able to help him claim the compensation he has needed for so many years."- Alex Shorey, solicitor

Read More Client Stories

Frequently Asked Questions

How should my employer have protected me against industrial disease?

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, employers have a duty of care to protect you from illness and injury while you’re at work.

They’ve failed in their duty of care if you do become ill or injured through doing your job. Common ways this happens is when your employer doesn’t:

  • Provide the right personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Carry out a risk assessment
  • Offer proper training, such as how to use equipment
  • Limit exposure to toxic substances as much as possible
  • Offer adequate break periods.

If your employer has failed in their duty of care towards you and you’ve developed an industrial disease, contact us to make a claim.

Can I lose my job if I make a claim against my employers?

This is very unlikely and there are legal safeguards in place to protect you from unfair dismissal.

If you make an industrial disease claim against your employer, any compensation awarded is likely to be paid by their insurer. It’s been compulsory for businesses to have insurance for many years.

If you’re unsure of your rights, one of our industrial disease solicitors are happy to talk through this subject in more detail.

Can I get interim payments?

If your employer admits they were responsible for your illness, we can try to secure you interim payments. Interim payments can pay for ongoing travel and medical expenses. They can also be used to make up for any loss of earnings you’ve had through being unable to work because of your illness.

Interim payments are paid ahead of your claim being settled. The money’s taken out of the final amount you’re awarded in compensation.

Find out more about interim payments.

Read More FAQs

Related Information - Industrial Disease & Illness Claims

Group Claims - If more than one person has been affected, we may be able to help you bring a group claim
Industrial Illness Claims Guide - answers to some of your frequently asked questions concerning workplace illness claims
Rehabilitation - we can help you access the care and support you need to help with your recovery
Injured At Work Benefits - Our factsheet provides information on the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

Scottish Flag All Scottish cases will be handled by the Scottish law firm with which we are associated, Irwin Mitchell Scotland LLP. The law relating to funding is different in Scotland and you will receive separate advice about what that means as well as a separate funding agreement.

 

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