Industrial Disease Articles

Making a HAVS Claim after Years of Working with a Pneumatic Drill

Regularly using equipment that vibrates such as pneumatic drills can lead to long-term joint, muscle vascular, and nerve damage in the hand, wrist and fingers. Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), in particular, is commonly associated with the repeated use of heavy equipment that vibrates.

What is Noise Induced Hearing Loss?

Noise Induced hearing loss is a term used to describe hearing loss which has been caused by exposure to loud noise. The condition can occur as a result of prolonged exposure to loud noise over many years. For instance, you may have worked in a factory with heavy machinery, or outside with noisy tools. However, noise Induced hearing loss can also be caused by a one-off incident of exposure to loud noise, such as an explosion or gunfire.

Industrial Disease Claims after an Employer has Ceased Trading

Symptoms of an industrial disease, such as asbestosis or work-related lung cancer, may not become apparent for many years, maybe even decades after the employment which caused it has ended. So by the time you make an industrial disease claim, the employer you worked for when you were exposed to the hazard that caused your condition may have gone out of business.

Industrial Disease Claim Time Limit – What You Need to Know

In England and Wales, there is generally a three year time limit for making personal injury claims, which industrial diseases, injuries and illnesses are classified as.

What is Mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is a cancer of the lining of the lungs and it is associated almost exclusively with exposure to asbestos. Just one asbestos fibre is thought to be enough to cause the disease.

Hearing Loss and Industrial Deafness Claim Process Explained

A work-related hearing loss claim is also known as an industrial deafness claim and these are dealt with by our specialist Industrial Disease Solicitors. Many hearing loss claims can be funded through a No Win, No Fee agreement – ask us for details.

What are Work-Related Lung Diseases?

Work-related lung diseases are lung conditions which could be caused or aggravated by coming into contact with materials, chemicals and/or toxic fumes in the workplace.

Mesothelioma Compensation after Death

Many mesothelioma compensation claims are settled after the death of the person diagnosed with mesothelioma. So sufferers and family members shouldn’t worry if their case is not settled during the sufferer’s lifetime, as valid mesothelioma claims will continue even if the sufferer loses his or her life to mesothelioma. There is no immediate rush as the statutory limitation period is 3 years from death.

Struggling to Breathe in Later Life due to an Industrial Disease?

Being diagnosed with an industrial illness can come as a shock and has life-changing consequences, especially if the illness affects your ability to breathe easily. It doesn’t seem fair that an employee who gives his or her entire working life to a particular job is exposed to substances which damage their health later in life.

Repetitive Strain Injury - How to Claim against Your Employer

Can Family Members of Workers Exposed to Asbestos Get Compensation?

Yes. This issue has recently been in the High Court with a former Vauxhall electrician winning an asbestos claim against the carmaker after his wife died of mesothelioma last year.

Can I Claim for Asbestosis?

If you’ve been harmfully exposed to asbestos at work, you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation. At Simpson Millar, we’ve made successful claims on behalf of thousands of individuals who have developed an asbestos-related disease after being exposed to the harmful fibres at work, dating as far back as the 1950s.

What is Tinnitus?

Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing sounds such as buzzing, ringing, hissing, whistling or chirping in the ear, independent from any outside sounds. This can either be a continuous sound or intermittent, and it’s often worse when background noise is low.

Can you Get Dermatitis From Working in a Factory?

Work-related dermatitis can occur when skin comes into contact with chemicals, glues, soaps, oils, detergents and other irritants. Perhaps most surprisingly, dermatitis can also occur from over-exposure to water.

Has my Deafness Been Caused by my Work?

Hearing loss or deafness can be caused by exposure to high levels of noise at work. People who have worked in certain industries or environments may have been exposed to loud noises day after day and suffered irreversible hearing damage as a result. This is known as Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).

Has My Asthma Been Caused by My Work?

It’s thought that around one in ten cases of asthma in UK adults are caused by work-related factors. Occupational asthma is asthma that’s caused directly by the work that you do. And there are also people with constitutional asthma whose condition has been made worse by their job, which is known as work aggravated asthma.

What is Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome?

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome is a term that covers all the disorders associated with exposure to hand-transmitted vibration. It used to be known more commonly as Vibration White Finger.

5 Common Symptoms of Mesothelioma

When speaking to our clients after their diagnosis with mesothelioma, we see that it can be particularly difficult for them and their loved ones to deal with. People may struggle to begin moving forward, whilst also feeling confused as to where or how the asbestos exposure happened.