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Industrial Disease

Are you are suffering from an industrial disease or injury resulting from negligence on the part of your employer?

Does your condition either incapacitate you from working or is one of the diseases which is recognised as associated with your profession?

If so, it may be possible for you to claim compensation.

This article gives information about some of the conditions accepted as an industrial disease.

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is caused by the inhalation of asbestos, a mineral which up until the 1970's was used on a regular basis in the construction industry.

Industrial disease and asbestos

This industrial disease can result in the scarring of lung tissue, lung and chest cancer and fluid on the lungs.

Naturally, asbestosis does not only affect those working in the construction industry.

Public places such as hospitals, schools and work premises all over the United Kingdom were erected using asbestos thereby putting many other people at risk.

As the symptoms can take as long as forty years to develop, it is not at this point in time known exactly how many people are suffering from the effects of this industrial disease.

It is a killer condition which takes the lives of over four thousand people each year and, unfortunately, as yet there is no known cure.

Chronic Bronchitis

This industrial disease results from the irritation caused by virus or bacteria infections, polluted air or fumes and dust found in the workplace.

Excessive mucus is produced on a constant basis, thickening the lining of the bronchial tubes when they are irritated for long periods of time which in turn restricts air flow, the coughing begins and the lungs become infected.

Pneumoconiosis

This is a condition which commonly occurs in persons retired from working in coal mines, quarries, foundries and potteries where association with silica has taken place.

The term pneumoconiosis collectively refers to lung diseases which are brought on by dust inhalation.

There is often a delay of around ten years from the point of exposure to the first signs of the disease.

industrial disease and Pneumoconiosis

Asthma

Those suffering from asthma as a result of their occupation experience similar symptoms to regular asthma sufferers – the main difference being the time of day when they feel at their worst.

In the case of occupational asthma, a good night's sleep, away from the working environment allows them to start the day without the early morning effects suffered by regular asthma patients.

Of course, the degree in which asthma shows itself will all depend on the cause of the disease.

For example, the damage done to the lungs over a period of time of continuous exposure to chemicals will have entirely different affects from someone who has an immediate asthmatic allergic reaction to the presence of chemicals within the workplace which is known as Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome or RADS for short.

Mesothelioma

This is a cancer strain mainly affecting the outside lining of the lungs as well as the lower digestive tract and can occur when a person has been exposed to asbestos.

However, it is usually more than fifteen years since the first exposure with asbestos before the disease is diagnosed.

Mesothelioma is different to other forms of lung cancer in that it is not in any way associated with tobacco smoking.