What are Occupational Skin Diseases?
Irritants found in the workplace, such as chemicals, glues and dusts, have the potential to cause painful skin conditions.
There are different types of occupational skin diseases, the most common work-related skin disease is industrial dermatitis, which is caused by exposure to certain allergens.
The severity of work-related skin diseases varies widely. If you have a skin disease that has been caused by work, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
Who is at risk of developing an occupational skin disease?
People coming into contact with chemicals and dusts through their occupation and work without wearing the correct protective clothing are at risk of developing an occupational skin disease on exposed body parts, usually the face or hands.
Hospital staff, kitchen workers, cleaners, factory workers and printers are some of the occupations most at risk of coming into contact with the harmful substances and developing an occupational skin disease.
Who can make a claim for an occupational skin disease?
If you have been diagnosed with a skin disease caused by exposure to substances at your place of work, and it has not been more than three years since you were told about it, you may be able to make a personal injury claim for your occupational skin disease.
How do you claim for an occupational skin disease?
After being diagnosed with an occupational skin disease, it is important to get in touch with Birchall Blackburn Law today to start your personal injury claim. Call our team on Freephone 0800 783 8485 or fill in our contact form here and we will get in touch with you.
Our specialist occupational skin disease solicitors and industrial disease team will guide you through the compensation claims process to help you focus on what is important.
Other industrial disease services
Asbestosis is a form of lung disease caused by breathing in asbestos dust.
Asbestosis occurs in individuals who have had high levels of prolonged asbestos exposure over many years.
The inhaled asbestos fibres permanently damage the alveoli (the air sacs which supply oxygen to the blood stream) in the lungs.
Lung cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK.
Asbestos-related lung cancer develops after inhaled asbestos fibres become trapped in the lungs. Over long periods of time, the fibres cause inflammation and damage to the lung tissue. After many years, often decades, the asbestos fibres cause enough irritation and cellular damage to cause the growth of tumours.
It can be difficult to attribute lung cancer to asbestos exposure, although research has found a clear association between high levels of asbestos exposure and the risk of lung cancer.
The pleura – a thin membrane that covers the inside of the rib-cage and the outside of the lungs – is made up of two layers and produces a fluid to help the lungs move smoothly as we breath.
When this fluid builds up, this is known as a pleural effusion.
One of the known causes of pleural effusions is exposure to asbestos dust and fibres. If a person does develop a pleural effusion due to asbestos exposure, it will not develop until 10 – 50 years after the exposure to asbestos has occurred.
Pleural thickening refers to the thickening of the lining of the lung, called the pleura – a thin membrane that covers the inside of the rib-cage and the outside of the lungs.
The disease usually progresses slowly and, in most cases, remains stable.
Diffuse pleural thickening is when the pleura thickens to the extent that it can restrict breathing and causes breathlessness. This disease is frequently, but not exclusively, caused by exposure to asbestos dust.
Pleural mesothelioma is an incurable cancer that affects the lining of the lungs. Less commonly it can affect the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) or the heart (pericardial mesothelioma).
Nearly all cases of mesothelioma are caused by exposure to asbestos dust. The disease and associated symptoms only present themselves many years after the asbestos exposure occurred.
Pleural plaques are small areas of localised scarring or calcification found on the pleura – the lining of the lungs and rib-cage.
It only takes minimal exposure to asbestos dust and fibres to cause pleural plaques to develop.
In almost all cases of pleural plaques there are no symptoms and they cause no problems to long term health, which is why in England and Wales there is no compensation available for developing them. Pleural plaques simply indicate that there has been exposure to asbestos.
Hand-arm vibration syndrome, also known as vibration white finger, is a common industrial injury caused by regular and extended use of vibrating tools.
Hand-arm vibration syndrome affects the joints, blood vessels and nerves around the hand and wrist. The most common symptoms are a tingling, numbness or pain in the fingers, and sometimes a loss of dexterity in the hands, making it hard to grip.
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a general term for soft-tissue injuries caused by repetitive activity.
It commonly develops in people whose work involves repetitive tasks, and can make daily tasks, such as driving or getting dressed, difficult.
Occupational lung diseases, such as silicosis, occupational asthma and asbestosis, are caused by breathing in harmful substances and irritants like silica, chemical fumes and asbestos.
There are certain industries which are linked to higher percentages of workers developing respiratory and lung diseases, including the mining, construction, ship building, insulation and chemical refinement industries.
Occupational deafness, otherwise known as noise induced hearing loss, develops while working in a loud or noisy workplace without the right protection.
The damage from the noise could take many years to become serious, but could also happen more quickly.
Age, or general fitness, are no protection – young people can be damaged just as easily as the old.
Reviews and testimonials
Thank you to everyone at Birchall Blackburn Law for a very thorough and efficient pursuit of our claim.
Patricia
Midlands
1 February, 2018
They guided and helped me through a very difficult period after my accident.
Carl
London
1 February, 2018
I found the team to be approachable, understanding and trustworthy.
Natasha
Nottingham
1 February, 2018
You helped when nobody else would, and that was truly appreciated. I wish you all the very best, you deserve it, a helpful, honest, compassionate solicitor...
G.M.
Preston
26 April, 2019
Thank you so much for all your support and advice throughout my case...
Mrs / Anon
Portsmouth
12 June, 2019
Andrew, Jasmine and all the staff who dealt with my claim were excellent. They guided and helped me through a very difficult period after my accident. They are truly professional and I can't thank them enough.
Mr / Anon
Chorley
12 June, 2019
I am very pleased with the way Susan Liver dealt with my clinical negligence claims against the NHS Foundation Trust. She handled the claim in a sensitive manner. I felt I understood everything that went into the case. I found Susan to be approachable, understanding and trustworthy. The monetary compensation I received is life-changing. I feel Susan does a good job and is very understanding of a client’s needs. The team at Birchall Blackburn are just brilliant.
Natasha
Rotherham
17 July, 2019
This was a very hard time for me and my family, and I always felt I could call and talk over any concerns I had. If I was to need legal help in the future I wouldn't hesitate to contact you.
From the first phone call meeting and then when Susan took over, she got the best experts on board with my case. It couldn't have been better. Thank you!
I think you were very helpful in my case and thank you for everything you've done for me. I wish you all the very best.
K.H.
Huddersfield
29 May, 2018
I could never have had a more caring and professional service as I received from Susan Liver at Birchall Blackburn Law. She will never ever give in, fights wholeheartedly to get the best results. A true professional person who became my friend.
J.G.
Burnley
20 March, 2018
I would like to thank you and your team, Susan, for all your effort and hard work resulting in a fantastic settlement for me. It has been a pleasure to have met you. You were very professional but also very supportive and easy to talk to. Thank you.
P.H.
Southport
15 March, 2018
Excellent friendly and professional service from the legal team led by Susan Liver. Would highly recommend.
Paul Crisp
23 December, 2020
I was very happy with the service offered from your practice in terms of professionalism, communication, advice and support. I would be pleased to recommend the practice in the future should the necessity for such an occasion arise.
E. Shorter
23 December, 2020
Once again I must express my thanks for the dedication and professionalism of you and your team.
Very easy to speak to and always kept us informed. All in all a great company.
David Lockwood
18 January, 2021
Andrew Taylor and the Healthcare and Clinical Risk team provided an excellent, professional and dedicated service that resulted in a successful personal injury claim. Andrew's attention to detail was meticulous and I felt the upmost confidence in him and the team. Each part of the process was explained thoroughly and with sensitivity and any questions I had were answered promptly. I would highly recommend Birchall Blackburn Law.
Sarah Bradford
15 February, 2021
