Asthma is a condition that affects a large proportion of both the adult and child population. It is an inflammation of the lungs causing narrowing of the airways, chest tightness and wheezing. This condition, although most of the time naturally occurring, can be triggered by exposure to pollutants in the workplace.
Employers have a duty to protect their workers from hazardous substances and if you have developed occupational asthma as a result of your working environment, then you may have a claim for compensation.
Certain dusts, vapours, gases and fumes can cause occupational asthma. Some of the substances known to be capable of causing asthma are:
- Dust from flour and grain used in baking, farm work and grain transport
- Dust from latex rubber found in latex gloves used in nursing and dentistry
- Wood dust from carpentry, joinery and saw milling work
- Chemicals found in soldering fumes, glues, some cleaners used in electronic equipment and the electrical industry
- Chemicals found in spray painting, foam moulding, adhesives, making foundry cores and surface coatings
Occupational asthma can take weeks, months and sometimes years to develop and can lead to serious breathing problems. If you suspect a substance at work as the cause of your asthma, then you should ask yourself whether during the working week your asthma gets worse, although not necessarily at work itself. Additionally, you should also ask yourself whether your asthma is worse after work, whether your sleep is disturbed and whether your symptoms get better when you are away from work e.g. on holiday.
If you believe that you suffer from occupational asthma then you should consult your GP as soon as possible. Your GP may be able to refer you to a specialist to determine whether or not you are suffering from occupational asthma.
Zen Law Solicitors are experienced industrial disease lawyers and experts in tracing old employers (even if you are struggling to remember who these were, we can still trace them) or their insurers to help you bring your claim and maximise your compensation.
If you have been diagnosed with asthma and believe that it is as a result of your working environment, complete our Online Enquiry Form and one of our lawyers will contact you to discuss how you can make a claim for your injuries.