Last Updated on April 27, 2026 by tanya

How to Claim for Welder’s Lung

 

About Our Legal Expert: This content is produced under the oversight of Michael Jefferies, First Personal Injury Director, who brings over 30 years of legal experience.

Written by Tanya Waterworth, Digital Content Writer

 

A Guide to Valid Compensation Claims

Welder’s lung may be caused from working with metal, welding rods, or iron dust without proper protection in the workplace, so here’s a guide on how to claim for Welder’s Lung. Medically known as siderosis, it is a lung disease caused by inhaling iron particles over time. In many cases, it may remain benign, or it could worsen – affecting your quality of life.

A known industrial disease, this can take years to develop and if it was caused by employer negligence, such as a lack of protective equipment – you may want to find out more on filing a personal injury claim for compensation. Even if you left your job years ago, or that employer has closed down, you may still be able to claim.

To find out if you have a valid claim, get in touch with our team. We offer a free, no-obligation consultation to have your case assessed. Additionally, we work with lawyers who offer No Win, No Fee agreements, so you only pay fees if you win your case.

 

When Do You Have a Valid Claim?

You may be eligible for compensation if you can establish each of the following:

 

1. Employer Owed You a Duty of Care

Every employer is legally required to protect their employees under health and safety laws.

 

2. What If Your Employer Breached That Duty?

Breach of duty may have occurred if the employer did not:

 

Properly assess risks of welding fumes or iron dust exposure;

Provide adequate ventilation or extraction systems;

Supply and maintain suitable respiratory protective equipment (PPE);

Train employees properly or inform them of the hazards;

Monitor employees’ health, or act on early symptoms.

 

3. Causation

You must be able to show that the breach of duty directly caused, accelerated or significantly contributed to your diagnosis of siderosis. That means you will require medical evidence linking your condition to the exposure.

 

4. You Have Suffered Loss

Loss can be physical suffering, reduced lung function, medical expenses, lost earnings (past and future), and impact on life. These losses are needed to calculate compensation.

 

5. Act Within the Time Limit

You generally have three years from:

The date of diagnosis, or

The date when you first realised – or should reasonably have realised – that your lung disease was caused by your work.

 

What Evidence Should You Gather?

To strengthen your claim, you’ll need strong evidence. This may include:

 

Medical reports confirming siderosis diagnosis (X-rays, CT scans, lung function tests).

Full employment history, showing when and where you were exposed to iron dust or welding fumes.

Workplace risk assessments or safety logs, malfunctioning ventilation, missing PPE records.

Witness statements from colleagues who can attest to poor safety practices or lack of protective equipment.

A personal diary of symptoms, their progression, impact on your daily life and work.

Proof of financial losses: payslips, medical bills, travel costs, care costs.

 

How Much Compensation Could You Get?

The compensation amount depends on:

• Severity of illness: how badly lung function is impaired, how symptoms affect daily life.
• Duration: number of years exposed, duration since diagnosis.
• Financial losses: loss of earnings now and in future, medical expenses, care costs.
• Non-financial losses (“general damages”): pain, suffering, loss of amenity.
• Age, life expectancy, impact on ability to work.

Many claims are handled on a No Win, No Fee basis. This means if you win, you typically pay a success fee; if you lose, you don’t pay legal fees.

 

Steps to Claim Welder’s Lung Compensation

1. See a doctor or specialist as soon as you experience symptoms. Get a formal diagnosis.

 

2. Notify your employer about the condition, in writing, and request all relevant work health and safety, ventilation, PPE records.

 

3. Collect evidence: medical records, workplace documents, witness statements, photos of working conditions.

 

4. Consult a specialist industrial disease solicitor who has experience with occupational lung disease, especially siderosis.

 

5. Submit the claim: solicitor will typically work on a “no win, no fee” or conditional fee agreement; file within 3 years.

 

6. Negotiate: depending on whether employer or their insurer accepts liability. Your solicitor will be able to provide an estimate of general and special damages for your case.

 

What If the Employer No Longer Exists?

• Even if your employer has closed down, you might still be able to claim. The employer’s liability insurer or former company records may be traced. The Employers’ Liability Tracing Office may assist.
• If you left the job many years ago, you can still claim if the effects of exposure became apparent later – as long as your diagnosis is within the 3-year limit i.e. ‘the date of knowledge’ is when you became aware of the illness.

 

Common Defence Arguments

Employers (or insurers) may try to argue:

• That you weren’t significantly exposed, or that other exposures (smoking, non-work sources) caused the lung issue. Counter: Document exposure, rule out non-work sources, show workplace breaches.
• That you knew the risks and voluntarily accepted them. Counter: Even if you were aware, employers are still required to provide protection, PPE, mitigation.
• That the claim is time-barred. Counter: Use “date of knowledge” rule; legal advice can help assess whether the limit has been missed or exceptions apply.
• That the condition is benign and causes little harm. Counter: Medical evidence of impact, daily living impairment, future prognosis all matter.

 

Case Example (Hypothetical) of Welder’s Lung

Sarah, a welder, worked for 15 years without adequate extraction vents or high-quality respirators. Over time she developed symptoms of breathlessness and was eventually diagnosed with siderosis (Welder’s Lung). Because her employer had failed to carry out risk assessments, neglected ventilation maintenance, and provided poor PPE, Sarah has strong grounds for a claim.

Her solicitor collects medical reports and employer safety records and demonstrates how the injury affects her ability to work.

. She claims within 3 years of her diagnosis. She recovers compensation covering her suffering, future loss of earnings, medical costs, and lifestyle impact.

 

Do I Have a Valid Welder’s Lung Claim?

If you’re wondering if you have a valid claim: here’s a quick checklist:

 

• You’ve been diagnosed with siderosis (welder’s lung).
• Your employer owed you a duty of care and breached it (lack of ventilation, PPE, training).
• Exposure at work caused or significantly contributed to your illness.
• You suffered losses (health, financial, lifestyle).
• You act within the legal time limit (usually 3 years from date you knew).

 

If all those conditions are met, strongly consider making a claim. The earlier you act, and the better your evidence, the more likely you are to succeed and get fair compensation.

Reaching out to a trusted claims company can make a significant difference when seeking compensation. 

We will ensure you receive all the support you need. Call us at 0333 358 2345 or contact us online at First Personal Injury to find out of your claim may be valid.