You usually need to make a compensation claim for a workplace illness within three years of becoming aware that your symptoms might be linked to your work environment.
Note that it isn't three years from developing symptoms, or from an exposure or injury occurring – it's three years from when you should have realistically known that your illness is work-related.
This means you could be able to claim years, or even decades, after the incident or conditions that caused your illness – this is particularly common in claims for conditions like silicosis or asbestos-related illnesses, where symptoms can take 20 years or more to materialise.
You could be able to claim if you no longer work for the same employer, provided you can prove your illness was caused while you worked there – find out more about how we can prove this.
It's also possible to claim if your former employer has gone out of business – find out more about how this works.
What Happens In Fatal Cases?
In fatal cases, you have three years to make a claim, starting from either the date your loved one died, or the date you received the post-mortem results.
If your loved one was in the process of making a claim when they died, then the three year limit begins on their date of death, giving you time to pursue legal action – this is important in cases where the cause of death was only established post-mortem.
What If I Was Working Abroad?
If your illness occurred while working outside of the UK, then the time limit can be shorter than three years. In this instance, it's vital that you contact us as soon as possible.
What If It's Already Been Three Years?
Sometimes a court can extend this time limit, but this is only on a case-by-case basis. Contact us as soon as possible and we'll discuss what your options are.
Contact Us
If you have any concerns about the time limits for making a claim, or any specific circumstances that you'd like to discuss, then don't hesitate to contact us for some advice.
Call today on 0800 056 4110 for a free initial consultation. We'll discuss your case, advise you on whether we think you can claim, and answer any questions you may have. There's no obligation to continue at this stage, so you have nothing to lose by getting in touch with us.
