Types
Asbestos Related Conditions
Asbestos related disease accounts for 4000 deaths each year and occurs mainly in workers who were directly involved with asbestos, such as construction workers, ship builders and railway engineers but it is not uncommon to encounter incidence of asbestos related disease in people with lower exposure levels such as plumbers, electricians and carpenters. Even family members can be at risk of secondary exposure via fibres on the clothing of some one else in their household who worked with asbestos.
The use of asbestos is now banned in the UK, however asbestos related illness can take 40-50 years to develop so the problem will remain with us for many years.
Conditions caused by asbestos exposure are:-
Asbestosis
Mesothelioma
Lung Cancer
Pleural Thickening
Pleural Plaques (read more here about the Pleural Plaques Former Claimants Scheme)
If you have been exposed to Asbestos and have developed an illness caused by it you may be entitled to compensation
Noise Induced Deafness
Noise Induced Hearing Loss, also known as Industrial or Occupational Deafness is caused by repeated exposure to loud noise. Loud noise destroys the tiny hair like cells in the inner ear which enable you to hear and which cannot regenerate or grow back. If you have worked in any noisy occupation since 1963 without ear protection, or even if ear protection was provided (it may have been inadequate, unsuitable and/or you were not shown how to use it properly or it may just have been old and worn out) and you now find it difficult to hear, or if you hear buzzing, hissing, whistling or ringing noises in your ears (tinnitus) or have suffered temporary hearing loss, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
Early signs of noise-induced hearing loss to look out for include the following:-
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vague feelings of pressure or fullness in the ears.
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Having trouble understanding what people say, especially in a crowd of people.
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Having to ask people to repeat what they just said to you.
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Not being able to hear high-pitched sounds, like a baby crying.
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Missing the telephone ringing.
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Being told that you shout or speak loudly.
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Being told that the television is on too loud.
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Ringing, buzzing, whistling or hissing in your ears especially when you are in quiet places (tinnitus).
Early symptoms may go away minutes, hours or days after the exposure to noise ends. Even if they go away quickly, permanent damage to your ears and hearing may have been done. Often people fail to notice the danger of noise as high noise levels cause few immediate symptoms and are rarely painful.
Prolonged exposure to loud noise can damage the sensitive structures of the inner ear. Cells and nerves in the inner ear are destroyed by continuous or repeated exposure to loud noise. If enough cells and nerves are destroyed, your hearing is permanently damaged.
Employers must start to take measures to protect the hearing of their workers in workplaces where noise reaches 85 decibels or more. This means that the noise has to be monitored and minimised. Employers must also inform employees how they can protect their hearing, mark out any “Ear Protection Zones“ and provide employees with ear protection and instructions on their use and care.
Unfortunately, Noise Induced Hearing Loss is permanent and incurable. Hearing aids can help but they cannot fully correct it.
The cost of hearing aids and professional treatment for tinnitus can be included as part of a claim for compensation so that you do not have to suffer delay waiting for it on the NHS.
Industrial Dermatitis
This often occurs as a result of exposure to substances such as cleaning agents, cement, mineral oils and hand washing agents. Your employer has a duty to avoid usage of, or to protect you from, harmful substances with the use of protective equipment.
The 2 most common conditions are:
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Irritant Contact Dermatitis which arises as a result of skin cell damage following exposure to a given substance. The extent of the damage depends on the substance involved and the individual’s resistance to irritant contact dermatitis.
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Allergic Contact Dermatitis arises due to the sensitisation of the individual to certain substances which are also allergens. In some cases sensitisation may occur as a result of only one period of exposure and it is, by its nature difficult to control once it develops.
Symptoms include irritation to the skin causing redness, blotching, and in more severe cases, blistering and bleeding.
Typically the condition is treated with steroidal creams and the use of soap substitutes or aqueous creams. Further protection against subsequent attacks of dermatitis can be achieved by wearing adequate protective equipment when in contact with potentially harmful substances.
You may be able to claim compensation if you have suffered injury or illness caused by exposure to harmful substances.
Pleural Plaques
It is not currently possible to pursue a civil claim for compensation in England and Wales as it is considered a symptom free condition. If however you have large areas of pleural plaques it is likely that you will be in some discomfort so you should contact your GP immediately and seek legal advice.
If you were diagnosed with this condition before October 17th 2007 and a solicitor attempted to claim damages for you, then you may be eligible for a one off payment of £5000 under the Pleural Plaques Former Claimants Scheme. You should apply online http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/pleural-plaques-compensation-scheme.htm or by phone 0300 303 8150
Important: Any claim must be made by 01st August 2011
We do not make any deductions from your compensation – you keep 100%.
