If your work has left you suffering from an industrial illness, such as asbestosis or mesothelioma, you are entitled to seek recompense. Speak to our specialist industrial disease solicitors today.
Industrial disease or illness refers to any illness or health condition that is caused by hazardous or unsafe conditions in the workplace. Most often, they occur when employees are exposed to harmful chemicals or substances on a frequent basis or over a prolonged period.
However, the term industrial disease can also refer to injuries caused by unsafe work practices, such as repetitive strain injuries (RSI) or vibration white finger and HAVS.
According to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, every employer has a responsibility to safeguard their employees from any potential hazards or risks to their health while they are at work. Where this does not happen, and you are injured or made ill as a result, you could be entitled to make a claim for industrial disease compensation.
What types of illness can lead to an industrial disease claim?
There are many different types of illness or injuries that can lead to an industrial disease claim. Some of the most frequently examples we see include:
Asbestos claims, including asbestosis and mesothelioma
Silicosis (a lung disease caused by long-term exposure to crystalline silica dust, found in certain types of stone)
Respiratory conditions, such as asthma
Dermatological (skin) conditions
Occupational cancer
Occupational injuries, such as RSI and vibration white finger
Hearing loss or industrial deafness
Am I eligible to make an industrial disease claim?
Simply put, if you’ve been made ill or been injured in the course of your employment and your employer’s negligence is to blame, you are entitled to make a claim for industrial disease compensation.
Your employer has a responsibility to take all reasonable steps to ensure your safety while you work. This could include steps such as:
Conducting frequent risk assessments
Carrying out frequent maintenance on equipment
Providing adequate personal protective equipment (PPE) when working with hazardous materials
Providing sufficient training to prevent illness or injury
If you have suffered an illness or injury and wish to make a claim, the first step is to get in touch with our specialist industrial disease solicitors to discuss the specifics of your case. We’ll take all the information we need, providing advice and guidance along the way so you know exactly where you stand. If we think you have a claim, we’ll take you through the claims process step by step, from collecting all the evidence we need to support your claim to negotiating your settlement.
To learn more about making an industrial disease claim, or to establish your full legal position, get in touch with our team on 0330 041 5869 or arrange a call back at a time that suits you using our online form.
I had an excellent experience with Slater and Gordon while handling my post-accident injury claim. The service was outstanding, and I felt very supported throughout the process. The solicitor who managed my case was incredibly helpful and professional, making a stressful time much easier to navigate. I truly appreciate all the assistance they provided!
5* Trustpilot Review
Slater and Gordon Edinburgh took my accident at work case on and were very professional throughout. The solicitor who helped me achieved a brilliant result in terms of compensation. The whole team at Slater and Gordon I would like to thank and highly recommend.
Client testimonial for Slater and Gordon Scotland
I have pursued a medical claim with Slater and Gordon over the past two years and at all times they have been highly professional and supportive. I would highly recommend S&G to anyone considering making a claim.
5* Client Testimonial for Slater and Gordon Scotland
What evidence do I need to support an industrial disease claim?
To make a claim successfully, you’ll need to be able to prove that your illness was caused by your employer’s negligence. Doing so can be complicated, particularly if symptoms of your illness begin to show many years after your employment (as is often the case with asbestos or silica exposure).
This may sound worrisome, but rest assured our solicitors have a wealth of experience in handling cases just like this, so will be able to support you in finding all the evidence you need to make your claim successfully.
Types of evidence that we may wish to gather include:
Witness statements from colleagues, friends or family members
Details of your employment history, including locations of work sites
Medical records, confirming your diagnosis and the likely cause of your illness
Records of any financial losses sustained as a result of your injury or illness
Why should I choose Slater and Gordon Scotland’s industrial disease solicitors?
Suffering from an industrial disease can be an incredibly emotional and stressful time. Your employer is responsible for minimising risk and keeping you safe as much as possible, and where this duty of care has failed, the consequences can be severe.
Making a claim for industrial disease is an incredibly specialised area of law, so it is important that you have the support of a dedicated, expert solicitor with extensive experience. Our team of expert industrial disease solicitors are some of the most trusted and experienced lawyers in the country, with many receiving high rankings and acclaim in independent legal guides, such as Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500. Many also hold positions within the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL).
We take a holistic and empathetic approach to every case we pursue, prioritising access to privately funded treatment and medical support as early as possible in the process. Where your illness or injury has also affected your mobility, we can also provide support and advise on the suitability of your accommodation, adaptions that can help improve your quality of life, and the impact your diagnosis can have on your employment.
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 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 across Scotland. Meetings can be arranged via telephone or video call, to suit your requirements.
Speak to one of our industrial disease experts today
Frequently asked questions about industrial disease:
How do I fund an industrial disease claim?
We know that many people are often concerned about the cost of pursuing legal action, and don’t believe anyone should feel they are not able to access the compensation they deserve due to financial risk. That is why the majority of the personal injury claims we pursue are done so by way of a No Win No Fee agreement.
Under this agreement, there are no upfront legal fees to pay, and if your claim doesn’t succeed, you won’t have to pay a penny in costs, meaning there is never any financial risk to you. To learn more, you can visit our No Win No Fee page, or speak to a member of our team on 0330 041 5869.
How long will it take to secure my industrial illness compensation?
How long your claim takes to process can vary substantially, depending on a number of different factors. For example, one of the first stages of a claim is establish legal liability; that is, getting your employer to admit they are at fault for your illness. In straightforward cases, this can happen quite quickly, though where liability is contested, it can take time.
Regardless of the circumstances behind your claim, our solicitors always endeavour to handle your case swiftly and efficiently and will keep you updated throughout the process.
How much compensation could I receive for an industrial illness claim?
It can be difficult to predict how much compensation you may be entitled to without first reviewing the circumstances of your case. Generally speaking, however, the more severe your illness is and the more that it affects your day-to-day life, the more compensation you could receive.
Is there a time limit for making an industrial disease claim in Scotland?
You have three years from the date of your diagnosis – or from the date you could have reasonably become aware that your illness or symptoms was linked to your employment – to make a claim for industrial illness compensation.
Where a loved one has died due to an industrial disease or illness, you have three years from the date of their death to make a claim.
To learn more about any time limits that might affect your claim, speak to one of our industrial disease solicitors today on 0330 041 5869 or request a call back online.
Can I make a claim for a loved one who has passed away?
If you have lost a loved one due to an industrial illness, you could be entitled to make a claim for compensation. There are restrictions on who can make a claim on behalf of a loved one who has passed away, so it is important you get the advice of an expert industrial disease solicitor as soon as you feel you are able to ensure your claim runs smoothly.
When you’re ready, we’re here to help. Speak to a member of our team on 0330 041 5869 or arrange a callback at a time that suits you using our online form.
I had an excellent experience with Slater and Gordon while handling my post-accident injury claim. The service was outstanding, and I felt very supported throughout the process. The solicitor who managed my case was incredibly helpful and professional, making a stressful time much easier to navigate. I truly appreciate all the assistance they provided! 5* Trustpilot Review
Slater and Gordon Edinburgh took my accident at work case on and were very professional throughout. The solicitor who helped me achieved a brilliant result in terms of compensation. The whole team at Slater and Gordon I would like to thank and highly recommend. Client testimonial for Slater and Gordon Scotland
I have pursued a medical claim with Slater and Gordon over the past two years and at all times they have been highly professional and supportive. I would highly recommend S&G to anyone considering making a claim. 5* Client Testimonial for Slater and Gordon Scotland