Work Related Claims 

Occupational Asthma Claims 

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Our expert workplace illness lawyers will handle your claim at no cost to you* and in the vast majority of cases you will receive 100% of your compensation**.

Expertise And Understanding From Irwin Mitchell

Employers have a responsibility to protect their employees from dangers in the workplace. These dangers can include exposure to dusts, vapours, gases, or fumes. When this protection is inadequate, the results can be serious - including occupational asthma.

At Irwin Mitchell we fight fearlessly to achieve the best outcome for your occupational asthma compensation claim. We’re renowned for our understanding of the issues affecting you and your family due to occupational asthma, and we know what positive action to take to make a difference.

Our lawyers offer the highest level of professionalism and expertise, combined with dedication and sensitivity.

Above all, we put you first.

Handling Occupational Asthma Cases With Expertise And Sensitivity

If you have developed asthma or another form of breathing problem as a result of exposure to harmful substances at work, you may be entitled to claim compensation for occupational asthma.

It is estimated that over 2 million UK workers are potentially exposed to substances known to be associated with the development of occupational asthma - a chest disease in which the airways react to dusts, vapours, gases, or fumes.

Irwin Mitchell can help you to make an asthma compensation claim against a current or a previous employer if you believe that exposure to harmful substances has affected your breathing. Our specialist asthma at work claim solicitors will investigate your compensation claim and give you all of the plain English advice and support that you need.

Occupational asthma is usually reversible, though permanent lung damage can occur if exposure to harmful substances continues over a long period.

Workers may be exposed to a wide variety of airborne contaminants such as dust, welding fumes, gases, sandblasting dust, solvent vapours flour, cleaning fluids and mists. Studies have show that in most cases occupational asthma develops in 6-12 months, but may occur within weeks or be delayed as long as 20 years.

In cases of asthma related diseases, the following symptoms are commonplace:

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

If you suspect a substance at work as the cause of your asthma here are clues to look for:

During the working week your asthma gets worse, although not necessarily at work itself. Often your asthma may only occur or get worse after leaving work, sometimes interrupting sleep.

Your asthma gets better when you are not at work (it usually takes several days to notice any improvement).

Proven Expertise In Occupational Asthma Claims

Irwin Mitchell is also one of the largest and most experienced personal injury law firms in the country.

Our industrial illness claims team includes many of the country’s finest personal injury lawyers. They operate in highly specialised teams, offering the highest level of legal expertise in occupational asthma claims.


The above information relates to the law and procedures in England and Wales

* Subject to entering a ‘No Win, No Fee’ agreement with us and complying with its terms.

** Does not apply to group actions, criminal injuries or accidents and illnesses outside England and Wales and is subject to compliance with the terms of your funding arrangements. 

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



Occupational Asthma Following Exposure To Wood Dust

Mr B was an employee of James Beattie Limited, a large department store in Wolverhampton.

He was employed as a facilities assistant in the maintenance department where his job required him to machine medium density fibreboards, commonly know as MDF. These MDF sheets were fed through a table saw and cut to size.

Mr B was provided with no suitable respiratory protection to safeguard him from the significant quantities of dust which emitted from the machining process. In time the Company reduced its labour force leaving Mr B to work alone and in charge of all the machining of the medium density fibreboards. Working long hours in unprotected conditions with no supervision or training led to Mr B suffering from increasing shortness of breath and coughing. 

Mr B was diagnosed with occupational asthma and allergic rhinitis.

A claim was issued against Mr B's employer in the Birmingham County Court. The case was pursued on the basis that in the course of his work as a facilities assistant Mr B was required to saw MDF sheets with ineffective extraction and in breach of statutory duties which had materially increased the risk of asthma and allergic rhinitis from such work and specifically in breach of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002.

Judgment was entered in favour of Mr B after the Defendant filed no defence to the case. The claim was successfully settled out of court for a five figure sum.

Satinder Bains, one of our specialist Industrial Disease lawyers in Birmingham who represented Mr B, commented:

"There are many substances found in the woodworking industries that are hazardous to health.  In particular, Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) which is a wood composite material which is bonded with synthetic resin. When MDF is machined it will release a mixture of wood dust and free formaldehyde.

"The main health risks of breathing such dust in includes occupational asthma. There is also an additional risk of sino- nasal cancer.  While strict workplace exposure limits exist by which employers are required to control the level of dust  in Mr B’s case such safety measures were not followed.

"The Health & Safety Executive (‘HSE’) have been advising employers about the need to ensure exposure to wood dust is properly maintained.  Mr B's condition was preventable and the compensation he has received goes only some way to repay for the breathlessness and discomfort he suffered for a number of years."

Lawyers involved in this case:

We have lawyers with the expertise and experience needed to help you with your claim. Choose from the list below to learn more about our experts in this area.

Name Location Job Title Telephone
Ian Bailey Leeds Partner 0870 1500 100
Satinder Bains Birmingham Partner 0870 1500 100
Jonathan Betts Manchester Partner 0161 838 3055
Alida Coates Birmingham, Bristol Partner 0870 1500 100
Colin Ettinger London Partner 0207 421 3889
Roger Maddocks Newcastle Partner 0191 279 0095
Andrew Tucker Sheffield Partner 0870 1500 100
Mark Allen Sheffield Associate Director 0870 1500 100
Sarah Brumpton Leeds Associate 0113 394 6777
Lee Carnall Sheffield Associate 0870 1500 100
David Johnston-Keay Sheffield Associate 0870 1500 300
Isobel Lovett Newcastle Associate 0191 279 0104
David Bell Glasgow Solicitor 0870 1500 100
Louise Scott Birmingham Solicitor 0870 1500 100

Guidance With Strength And Sensitivity

We understand that contacting a lawyer might seem like a big step - especially if you have not done so before and we have therefore made it easy for you to contact us for free initial advice about your claim.

At Irwin Mitchell we understand the real impact of personal injury. Our team of specialists have the skills and experience to give you clear advice about the chances of pursuing a successful claim and to guide you through the claims process. You can then decide if you want us to pursue your claim on your behalf.

We are renowned for our understanding of the issues affecting you and your family, and we know what positive action to take to make a difference.

At Irwin Mitchell we will fight fearlessly to give you the greatest chance of winning your case, with the best possible outcome, and we will support you every step of the way.

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