Airborne allergens and chemical particles in the air can lead to occupational asthma. If you've been affected, talk to Slater and Gordon, one of the UK's leading industrial disease compensation specialists. Ask us about our No Win No Fee agreements.
Our team of legal experts have a wealth of experience and expertise across a wide range of industrial disease claims and are considered leaders in the field.
Occupational asthma is a term used to describe a wide range of lung and breathing problems caused by airborne allergens and irritants in the workplace. Many of these conditions can be extremely prejudicial to your health, so taking precautions to protect workers from breathing in harmful particles or chemicals is a key part of your employer's duty of care. Where they've been negligent in this duty, you may be able to claim compensation for occupational asthma.
What are the main types of occupational asthma?
Broadly speaking, occupational asthma can be split into two main categories:
Allergic occupational asthma: this is the most common type of occupational asthma, which occurs due to airborne allergens. Not only does this cause allergic asthma at the time, it can make you hypersensitive to that substance in the future
Irritant-induced asthma: less commonly, but even more dangerously, victims will have breathed in airborne chemicals in the form of gas, vapour or smoke. Even a brief exposure to concentrated irritants like these can lead to occupational asthma
If you are concerned about your lungs or breathing, it is also worth reading our guide to Silicosis.
What are the symptoms of occupational asthma?
The symptoms of occupational asthma are broadly the same as ordinary asthma, usually including:
Excessive wheezing
Tightness in the chest
Regular coughing
Shortness of breath
If you suffer from these symptoms, you should seek a medical opinion as soon as possible. In the event that your doctor diagnoses occupational asthma, you might then wish to consider making a claim for compensation.
What type of occupation can cause occupational asthma?
As occupational asthma is caused by airborne irritants and allergens, workers in many industries can be at risk. However, in addition to any working environment where dust and chemical use is prevalent, occupational asthma claims are most common among workers in these occupations:
Construction and demolition
Baking and four processing
Vehicle spray painting
Metal making
Treatment and process operations
How is my employer responsible?
The law says that every employer has a duty of care to protect employees from suffering harm in the workplace. Where your employer failed to foresee the harm that could be caused by your occupation, or provide the necessary protective gear, they could be said to have failed in their duty of care. Read more on the health and safety regulations that your employer should be adhering to and talk to a specialist solicitor to find out if you might have a occupational asthma claim.
Do I need a specialist occupational asthma solicitor?
Industrial asthma claims are quite a specialised area of the law, so it makes sense to deal with solicitors who have extensive experience and a track record of successful claims.
Slater and Gordon employs specialist solicitors in every area of industrial disease compensation claims. Just as importantly, we understand the impact that a diagnosis of occupational asthma can have on those diagnosed and their families, and aim to be as considerate and supportive as possible throughout the claims process.
Why choose Slater and Gordon for industrial disease claims?
Expertise
We are an award-winning law firm and have a dedicated team of industrial disease solicitors to advise and guide you – no matter how complex your situation may be.
Affordability and advice
We're able to offer affordable expert legal advice and can provide guidance on all aspects of asbestos claims. Our Initial Consultation provides tailored advice on your situation giving you clear guidance and options regarding next steps.
Tailored advice
We understand that every industrial illness claim is different – so we are able to provide tailored advice and guidance to suit your individual needs.
Local access
We are a national law firm, with legal experts available locally across the UK. Meetings can be arranged via telephone or video call, to suit your requirements.
Speak to one of our industrial disease claims experts today
Really helpful and always on the other side of the phone if needed. Quick and easy service. Ashley
Everything is moving along quickly and smoothly. Good professional service I'm glad I chose Slater and Gordon. Kenny Jackson