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Work related cancer compensation claims


There is no single cause of cancer, however it is known that there are certain factors that increase the likelihood of someone developing the disease. These may be genetic, lifestyle, environmental or occupational, and separately or as a combination, they can increase a person’s risk of developing it. This increase in risk may be slight, or relatively substantial.


Key Information:



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Types of work related cancers:


It is not always easy to establish what the cause of a particular Cancer is, however there are various types which are known be linked to occupational exposure to carcinogens.


  • Lung – most commonly caused by smoking or exposure to asbestos fibres, but can also be caused by carcinogenic chemicals, toxic dust or radiation
  • Bladder – can be caused by exposure to aromatic amines used in dyes and pigments, textiles, paints, plastics, paper, drugs and pesticides and in rubber preparation. It can also be used in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which are used in industries with exposure to coal tars, soots, aluminium production eg coal gasification; coke production; coal-tar distillation; chimney sweeps; roofing and paving; metal founders and smelting, motor and engine exhausts
  • Throat/Laryngeal – can sometimes be linked to exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
  • Nasal and sinus – often associated with exposure to formaldehyde, leather and wood dust
  • Liver – anyone who has been exposed to vinyl chloride can be at risk. People in the plastics, rubber and resin manufacturing; car interiors, furniture making and transportation industries are most at risk
  • Skin – usually associated with exposure to mineral oils (eg metal workers and printing industries) and UV radiation (eg anyone working outdoors). It is important to note that Skin Cancers can be difficult to detect and can be missed or receive a delayed diagnosis

Types of occupational exposure:


  • Aromatic amines
  • Arsenic
  • Asbestos
  • Benzene
  • Diesel
  • Formaldehyde
  • Leather dust
  • Certain metal compounds (Cadmium and cadmium compounds; chromium VI compounds, nickel compounds, iron and steel founding, nickel sulfides and oxides; beryllium)
  • Mineral oils
  • Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
  • Radon
  • Silica
  • UV radiation
  • Vinyl chloride
  • Wood dust

Check out our PDF guide to hazardous substancesPDF file for further information.


Can I claim compensation?


If you have been diagnosed with Cancer and you suspect the cause is work related you may be able to claim compensation if you can prove that your employer negligently exposed you to a known carcinogen such as asbestos, radon or perchloroethylene (dry cleaning chemicals) or one of the other chemicals or substances we have listed.


If you have been diagnosed with Cancer and you have been told or suspect that your working environment, either past or present, may be a factor in the disease, but the particular substance you came into contact with has not been listed, it is worth remembering that medical knowledge is increasing in this area almost daily and you would have nothing to lose by seeking an expert legal opinion on the possibility of making a claim.


Any advice our solicitors give is on a "no win no fee" basis.


For example carbon nanotubes have been found to behave in a way that is very similar to asbestos fibres in that the particles are so small when they are inhaled they pass through the lung wall and become embedded in the mesothelium. Scientists and Cancer experts fear that in years to come people exposed to nanotube particles may go on to develop mesothelioma (a cancer almost exclusively attributed to asbestos exposure), yet at the present time there are no known nanotube cases of the disease.


How much compensation will I get?


  • Our solicitors normally act on a "no win no fee" basis
  • If successful you will get 100% of the compensation
  • If you lose your case or if it is discontinued we will not charge you a penny

Is there a time limit for making a cancer compensation claim?


  • You must issue proceedings within 3 years of the date when you first became aware that you were unwell and that your work was probably the cause
  • If you are bringing a claim on behalf of a relative who has passed away it must be brought within 3 years of the date of their death

Why choose us?


Simpson Millar LLP Solicitors have been successfully acting for clients in respect of work related illnesses for over 150 years and have the strength and depth of expertise to ensure that your case gets the attention to detail it deserves.


‘A firm of quality’, Simpson Millar LLP. Highly regarded Phillip Gower, is ‘always available to clients, very approachable and “human”’, and specialises in industrial disease and brain injuries. The team primarily serves trade union members, and recently settled a number of asbestos-related claims at the High Court.

Legal 500 2011


Make a cancer compensation enquiry


Call our occupational illness department and speak to our cancer compensation solicitors now on freephone: 0800 195 4365 or complete our no obligation online enquiry form and we will get in touch with you.



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