Occupational Dermatitis Claims

Q: Should my employer have done more to protect me from occupational dermatitis?

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 , employers have a duty of care to employees and must protect them from health risks in the workplace. Your employer should carry out a risk assessment under the 2002 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations if its employees have to work with substances that could cause issues like eczema and dermatitis. If there is a risk, your employer should make sure it’s controlled and provide you with the necessary information and personal protective equipment (PPE) to work safely, including: Gloves Overalls Boots Masks. If you weren’t provided with the correct PPE or given information on the substances that cause serious skin conditions and how to avoid them, your employer’s negligence could have put you at risk.

Q: Can I claim against a former employer that has gone out of business?

Yes, even if your employer has gone out of business, you can still make a claim for occupational dermatitis. The company will have been insured to deal with claims like this, so it will be the insurer’s responsibility for any compensation payments. For more information, please visit our page on claiming if your employer has ceased trading .

Find out if you can make an occupational dermatitis claim if you weren’t given the correct protective equipment for working with hazardous materials.

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Expert legal support for occupational dermatitis claims

What is occupational dermatitis?

Occupational dermatitis is caused by coming into contact with an allergen or irritating substance, such as oils, petrol, diesel, soaps, detergents, greases and other chemicals. Even prolonged contact with water can cause problems. If you’ve developed eczema or dermatitis because of work, our solicitors could help you claim occupational dermatitis compensation.

Severe dryness and itchiness can lead to painful sores, blisters and skin infections, and your employer has a duty of care to protect you from any risks from working with substances that could cause dermatitis.

You should be given protective equipment for working with hazardous materials, and our lawyers can help you make an occupational dermatitis claim if you weren’t given this – or were given the wrong protection.

How long do I have to make a claim for occupational dermatitis?

Usually, you need to make a compensation claim within three years of becoming aware that your eczema might be linked to your work.

If your dermatitis occurred while working outside of the UK, the time limit can be shorter, so do get in touch as soon as you can to put your claim in motion.

Why choose Irwin Mitchell to make a compensation claim for occupational dermatitis?

You can get more than legal support from our specialist industrial disease lawyers, who have spent their careers getting justice for people like you who have suffered from work-related conditions like eczema or dermatitis.

We’re here to make sure that you receive the best compensation possible and get the medical care that you need to deal with occupational dermatitis. Get in touch with our experts today to find out more about making a claim.

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Meet a specialist from our team

Our market leading team will help you understand your rights, secure the compensation you’re owed, and access vital support – from rehabilitation to long-term care.

Satinder Bains

Partner

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Meet our experts

Satinder Bains

Partner

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Speak to a Specialist

We are here to help you understand your rights and the support you need. Complete our enquiry form and one of our experts will contact you by the next working day.

Alternatively, you can call us now.

Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm (Excluding Public Holidays).

0800 0232 233

Making an enquiry

We have several ways you can contact us, either by completing our online contact form, by phone, or using our live chat. If you start your journey online, here are the first steps to working together.

Complete our online form
We need a few details to understand your situation and the kind of support you need.
We’ll contact you by phone
On the call our experts will ask you a few more questions to make sure we connect you with the right legal advice from our team.
We arrange a full appointment
If we're able to support you further, the next step is an appointment with one of our specialists so we can discuss everything in more detail.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get the answers you need if you are living with the effects of poor working conditions—here are some of the most common questions we have been asked by people like you over the years.

Should my employer have done more to protect me from occupational dermatitis?

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers have a duty of care to employees and must protect them from health risks in the workplace. Your employer should carry out a risk assessment under the 2002 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations if its employees have to work with substances that could cause issues like eczema and dermatitis.

If there is a risk, your employer should make sure it’s controlled and provide you with the necessary information and personal protective equipment (PPE) to work safely, including:

Gloves
Overalls
Boots
Masks.

If you weren’t provided with the correct PPE or given information on the substances that cause serious skin conditions and how to avoid them, your employer’s negligence could have put you at risk.

Will I lose my job if I claim against my employer for occupational dermatitis?

Any compensation claimed from an employer gets paid by its insurer. It has been compulsory to have insurance for many years, so it’s highly likely that your employer will have this in place. There are also legal safeguards in place to protect you from unfair dismissal.

This basically means that your employer must be able to justify its reason for dismissing you in relation to your claim, which is highly unlikely. If you want to discuss this subject in more detail, our workplace illness solicitors will be able to talk you through your rights and what you can expect.

Can I claim against a former employer that has gone out of business?

Case study - Royal Naval engineer medically discharged following dermatitis diagnosis speaks out after lawyers secure six-figure settlement
Southampton man instructed military lawyers to help him ‘move forward’ with his lifeThomas Sharpe, from Southampton, served in The Royal Navy as an air engineer technician. Early in his service, he experienced symptoms of dermatitis. He was medically discharged around three years later following a diagnosis of irritant contact dermatitis. After his discharge Thomas instructed military injury experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate whether his dermatitis was as a result of conditions in The Navy. Irwin Mitchell successfully secured a six-figure sum from the MoD. Irritant contact dermatitis is often caused by frequent exposure to a particular substance and a number of those affected will be exposed to the irritant at work
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Information to help with your claim

We can help with legal guidance and advice as well as other services you might need to aid your recovery and get your life back on track.

Support and Rehabilitation Co-ordinators
We'll make sure you get everything you need throughout the claims process.
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About Irwin Mitchell
Find out more about our areas of expertise and our long, successful history.
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Personal Injury Claims Guides
Answers to some frequently asked questions relating to personal injury claims.
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Employment Law
We could help if you're facing issues with your current or former employer.
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Irwin Mitchell Scotland

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.