Occupational Asthma Claims

Over five million people in the UK have been diagnosed with asthma, and the number of sufferers is on the rise. Asthma has a number of causes, and if you've developed it as a result of conditions at work, our solicitors could help you make an occupational asthma claim.

You may be suffering from asthma and have put it down to genetics, air pollution or hay fever, yet it's entirely possible that your condition is work-related asthma. Exposure to dust, vapour, gases or fumes are common causes of asthma, with some people affected more seriously than others.

Our lawyers may be able to help you claim work-related asthma compensation if you've experienced the following symptoms as a result of your employer not providing you with adequate protection from dust and fumes:

Shortness of breath
Wheezing
Tightness in your chest
Coughing
Asthma attacks

If your symptoms get worse as the working week goes on, or if they ease when you’re away from work, there’s a particularly good chance that you could claim.

We have extensive experience with industrial asthma claims, and aim to make the whole process as straightforward as possible for you. Claiming from an employer may seem daunting, but we'll support you every step of the way with expert advice. We work hard to secure the best compensation and care for our clients, and are active in pursuing changes to the law that better protect workers from risk.

Most of the occupational asthma claims we handle are on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that there's nothing for you to pay upfront, and that you won’t have to pay any legal fees if your claim isn’t successful*.

Call us today on 0800 056 4110 or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation about your claim.

No Win No Fee*

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Occupational Asthma Claims - More Information

I was recommended Irwin Mitchell by a solicitor friend of mine and I am very happy to say that the dedication and professionalism shown has completely supported this recommendation.”

Chris, client

Client Story – Mr Williams

"The Health and Safety Executive has very clear guidance available to employers on the practical steps they can take to avoid exposing their employees to the potentially disastrous effects of exposure to isocyanates."

"This settlement is a substantial award. It reflects the impact that asthma has had on his general health and on his ability to find alternative, comparable work." - David Johnston-Keay, Senior Associate

Frequently Asked Questions

How Should My Employer Have Protected Me From Work-Related Asthma?

Employers have a duty of care to their employees, and the Health and Safety at Work Act states that they must protect you from any health risks in the workplace. This includes protecting you from things that can cause asthma, such as:

Dust (including sandblasting dust)
Welding fumes
Gases
Solvent vapours
Flour
Cleaning fluids
Mists

Preventative measures could be as simple as providing adequate ventilation in the workplace, or ensuring you can take regular breaks away from these substances. When working with more dangerous chemicals, respiratory protective equipment (RPE) should be supplied.

RPE should be fit for purpose – simple face covers will be appropriate for some environments, but others may require full face masks and filters, and these need to be fitted correctly.

Your employer should also tell you what the risks are, give you details on any exposure limits, such as how long you should be doing a certain kind of work, and train you in what to do in the event of an accident or emergency.

If you've not been provided with the right RPE, or you haven't been given enough training or information, then your employer’s negligence could have put you at risk. If you’re unsure, contact us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free consultation on your case.

Who Can Claim Compensation For Asthma?

People who are suffering from occupational asthma often put it down to genetics, air pollution or hay fever.

If your asthma has been caused by working conditions and your employer hasn't properly protected you from the risk, then you could be able to claim compensation. If you're not sure if your asthma has been caused at work, ask yourself the following questions:

Does your work involve exposure to anything that is associated with the onset of asthma? (this includes dust, welding fumes, gases, sandblasting dust, solvent vapours, flour, cleaning fluids or mists)
Does your asthma get worse during the working week?
Does your asthma flare up at work?
Does your asthma get better when you are not at work for any period of time?

If the answer to one or more of these questions is yes, then you could be suffering from occupational asthma, and we may be able to help you claim compensation.

Occupational asthma normally develops within six months to a year of being exposed to a substance, but in some cases it can take as long as 20 years to fully develop. The length of time it has taken to develop doesn't matter in terms of making a claim, but it's important to speak to us as soon as possible after noticing your symptoms, or associating them with your work environment, as you have three years from the date of this realisation to make a claim.

If you're not sure whether or not you'll be able to claim occupational asthma compensation, please contact us online or call us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free consultation. We'll discuss your case, and offer our expert advice on whether we think you'll be able to claim.

Why Choose Irwin Mitchell For An Occupational Asthma Claim?

As a leading workplace illness and injury solicitor, we have a great deal of experience with occupational asthma compensation claims, as well as claims for other respiratory issues such as asbestos-related diseases and silicosis. We're very vocal in our calls for employers to provide better protection from asthma in the workplace, as are some of our successful clients.

We believe passionately that workers have the right to expect to be kept safe from harm at work. If your employer hasn't protected you from exposure to hazardous substances, then we'll fight for the compensation you deserve. Claiming compensation from an employer can be daunting, so we aim to make things as simple as possible, handling every aspect of your claim and offering expert advice in plain English.

We could also provide you with access to support so you can manage or treat your asthma if needed. Having already helped many clients make successful asthma claims, we know the kind of issues you will be facing and what positive action we can take to make a difference to you and your claim.

To find out more about how to claim for occupational asthma, and how we can help, call us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free initial consultation about your claim.

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