Making an occupational exposure claim
If you are looking for experienced solicitors to make an occupational exposure claim then our team is here to help. Contact our free legal helpline for guidance and details of No Win, No Fee funding.
In recent years, there has been an ever-increasing spotlight on occupational exposure to substances such as asbestos, silica and chemical products. Exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace is not an uncommon occurrence, and in some cases the health consequences can be serious.
In instances where injury is suffered the employee may wish to consider making an occupational exposure claim to recover compensation.
The types of exposure that can occur include the following:
- Chemical Exposure – many roles can involve working in close proximity with chemicals, and when they are improperly mixed, stored or used, can result in harm to workers’ health.
- Radiation Exposure – industries relating to healthcare, nuclear energy and research, often involve radiation hazards. When the proper safety precautions are not adhered to serious harm can be suffered.
- Biological Exposure – workers within healthcare and research laboratories are at particular risk of exposure to infectious diseases, contaminated materials and bloodborne pathogens.
- Noise Exposure – Many jobs involving machinery or loud equipment can result in workers being exposed to excessive noise levels, which can result in hearing loss or other health related issues when inadequate protection is not provided.
Employers have a legal obligation to their employees to provide a safe working environment, and implement safety measures, as far as reasonably possible, to minimise any risks. These safety measures can involve the supply of personal protective equipment and appropriate safety training.
When workplace exposure does occur, a specialist solicitor will need to consider the cause and look at whether it arose as a result of negligence, or inadequate safety procedures. When injury or illness could have been prevented, there are likely to be grounds for bringing an occupational exposure claim for compensation.
Our Personal Injury team has dealt with a wide range of exposure claims. For example, Carly Sylvester—winner of the Young Achiever of the Year 2023 at the National Personal Injury Awards—recently reached an out of court settlement for a young man who was exposed to toxic fumes following the improper use of a chemical cleaning agent while at work.