Causes of Occupational Asthma

The professions that are most at risk of developing occupational asthma are:

• Cleaners
• Electricians
• Those who work in the food processing industry
• Paint Sprayers
• Agricultural workers
• Joiners or those coming in to contact with wood dusts
• Engineers / metal  workers
• Any other occupations that cause you to come in to contact with dust particles or vapours

People who have come into contact with flour, grain, wood dust, latex or certain animals may also have a heightened chance of contracting the disease.

Employer Responsibility

All employers have a duty of care towards their employees to ensure their health and safety. This includes following the rules set by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 form part of those rules. These regulations are specific to preventing diseases and illnesses caused by dangerous materials in the workplace. Your employer must adopt the required protocol for ensuring risks are minimised and/or prevented where possible.

Failure to adhere to health and safety laws means that your employer could be liable to pay compensation if you have developed occupational asthma as a result of their inability to protect you.

Statistics show that almost half of asthma sufferers are forced to change their job or have significant time off work due to their illness. If you have had to take time away from your job, you will be entitled to claim for loss of earnings you have experienced. You will also be able to claim compensation for expenses paid out and the pain and suffering you have gone through. There may also be advice that we can provide you with that will prevent you from losing your job if you are worried about notifying your employer.

How Much Compensation Can I Expect For My Occupational Asthma Claim?

Compensation is calculated through ‘general damages’ and ‘special damages.’ General damages covers the pain and suffering, as well as loss of amenity or function, that has occurred due to your illness or injury. Special damages covers financial losses incurred by your illness or injury. For example, if you have been unable to work due to your illness and have therefore lost income, this could be recuperated through compensation. Similarly, if you have had to pay for treatment or have incurred travel expenses to get to treatment, this could also be covered under compensation. Therefore, you should retain any receipts which highlight costs associated with your illness or injury.

Below are some general estimates which outline general damage compensation amounts depending upon the severity of your asthma:

The time limit for bringing an occupational illness claims is three years from the date that you became aware of your symptoms and that they were caused by your work.  The time from when this three year timeline begins can however vary on a case by case basis and therefore if you think you have an allergy or any other occupational illness then please do not delay in calling us to discuss how we may be able to assist you.

How Much Compensation?

All personal injury cases are unique and so the amount of compensation that is awarded in each case is also unique. Compensation is understood by looking at two specific factors: general damages and special damages.

General Damages

The pain and suffering that your injuries have caused are main factors that are used to determine how much general damage compensation you are owed. This will usually be determined by undergoing a medical examination, from which a report is created that highlights the length of time the injuries will take to heal as well as their severity. Our compensation calculator will give you an indication of how much general damage compensation you might be entitled to based upon your injuries.

Special Damages

In addition to receiving compensation for your injuries, you may be able to reclaim any financial losses that you might have suffered as a result of your injuries. Compensation for financial losses is known as special damages compensation. This can include losses such as loss of earnings due to not being able to return to work, the cost of treatment as well as travel to treatment. It is important that you keep any receipts or evidence of additional losses in order for these to be reclaimed.

Making Personal Injury Claims

You may be entitled to compensation for a range of compensation claims under accident claims. Our experts will help assess your potential claim going forwards and provide you with proficient advice. Contact First Personal Injury to discuss your potential compensation claim today by ringing 0333 358 2345 or by filling out the online claims form.