Industrial Diseases Claims

Industrial Deafness

Industrial deafness and associated tinnitus (a constant buzzing noise in the ears) are common types of work related injury caused by prolonged exposure to loud or continuous noise from machinery. The occupations most commonly affected are associated with using heavy machinery, manufacturing, construction, agriculture and transport.

Employers have a duty of care to protect the hearing of their employees from excessive noise levels and Eatons Solicitors have experience in obtaining compensation for deafness and tinnitus victims from a wide range of occupations and industries.

It is important to consult a solicitor as soon as you realise that your deafness may have resulted from your exposure to noise at work as there are time limits to pursuing such claims.

Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS)

Hand/Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) also described as Vibration White Finger (VWF) are conditions caused or contributed to by vibrations from vibrating machinery or tools such as road drills and jack hammers.

The condition usually affects the fingers, hands, wrists, elbows or the whole arm and common symptoms are skin whiteness (blanching), numbness or pins and needles in the affected areas. The effect on sufferers is often a reduction in hand or arm mobility and dexterity and constant discomfort or pain.

Eatons Solicitors have extensive experience working with HAVS and VWF victims.

Work related respiratory Illness

Work related respiratory illnesses are one of the most common illnesses affecting employees and retired workers from a wide variety of UK industries.

Respiratory complaints include conditions such as occupational asthma, Pneumoconiosis, Emphysema, Bronchitis and a wide variety of illnesses related to Asbestos. The effects of respiratory illnesses are extremely varied and can range from mild breathlessness to severe disability.

Asbestosis/Mesothelioma

Asbestos has been in use as an insulation material and fire retardant since the late 1800's. It was widely used in many industries. The harmful effects of asbestos were recognised legally in 1931 but the use of asbestos was not restricted in the UK until the 1980s.

Many employers' health and safety measures did not protect their workers sufficiently from the effects of exposure. As a result there are an increasing number of people suffering from disease caused by asbestos and currently up to 3000 deaths a year from exposure to asbestos and related illnesses. This figure is forecast by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and is estimated to increase significantly between 2015 & 2020.

According to the HSE, the ten occupations found to have the highest risk of Mesothelioma, a serious form of Asbestos related cancer, based on deaths between 1980 and 2000 were:

Metal Plate Workers
Vehicle Body Builders
Plumbers and Gas Fitters
Carpenters
Electricians
Sheet Metal Workers
Electrical Plant Operators
Production Fitters
Construction Workers
Electrical Engineers

These occupations were associated largely with the following occupations using Asbestos:

Railway engine and carriage building
Construction - especially installing insulation
Shipbuilding
Oil refineries
Textiles
Car brake pad manufacture
Power generation

Work related skin disease

Work related skin disease affects many thousands of workers who frequently come into contact with chemicals in occupations as diverse as hairdressing and paint manufacture. Dermatitis, where the skin may become broken, red, sore and itchy, is amongst the most common of these skin disease complaints.

It is important to consult a solicitor as soon as your problem has been noticed or diagnosed as there is a time limit for making a claim with regards to all types of Industrial Disease & Illness claims. We can arrange to deal with your claim on a NO WIN NO FEE basis.