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Organophosphate Exposure
Organophosphate Exposure
Duncan Lewis Industrial Claims Solicitors – No win no fee Organophosphate Exposure Claims
Organophosphates (OPs) are synthetic chemical compounds usually used as pesticides – but have been used as nerve gas because of the effects they have on the nervous system.
Sarin is perhaps the best-known organophosphate used in unlawful activities – sarin can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled in relatively small doses with fatal results.
Despite their extreme toxicity, organophosphates are widely used and agricultural workers may be accidentally exposed to an overdose of OPs with serious health effects.
Organophosphates can smell either of petrol or garlic because of their main constituents – this makes any leakage or spillage during storage easy to detect. However some organophosphates have no smell and are colourless.
They can be used on lawns or in agriculture and therefore gardeners, estate workers, agricultural workers and arable or livestock farmers may be at risk from exposure to organophosphates at work.
OPs are also used for sheep dips and de-fleaing solutions, so staff at zoos and petting zoos as well as livestock farms may be exposed to organophosphates.
When sprayed, organophosphates settle at ground level rather than being airborne because the OP vapour in an organophosphate spray or aerosol is denser than air.
Organophosphate poisoning may be mild – or can be moderate or severe, with potentially fatal results.
The symptoms of organophosphate poisoning include:
- Brain injury (convulsions, coma)
- Cardiac/heart damage
- Confusion/agitation
- Eye problems (blurred vision, irritation, small pupils)
- Gastrointestinal problem (nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea)
- Nerve damage (convulsions, muscle spasms)
- Oral problems (excess saliva)
- Respiratory problems (breathing difficulties, coughing, wheezing)
- Sneezing and runny nose.
Employers have a duty to monitor the use of OPs to protect workers from the risk of organophosphate poisoning at work, including advising workers on the risks of exposure to OPs, providing protective safety equipment and arranging any medical checks needed.
Duncan Lewis industrial claims solicitors can advise workers who have been diagnosed with organophosphate poisoning as result of employer negligence on how to make a no win no fee claim for organophosphate poisoning compensation.
Making a Claim for Exposure to Organophosphates at Work
Workers who have been diagnosed with work-related organophosphate poisoning have three years from the date of diagnosis in which to make a no win no fee compensation claim, if an employer has failed to protect a worker from organophosphate poisoning – or advise a worker of the risks under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.
Duncan Lewis industrial claims solicitors can also help with tracing the insurers of a former employer using the Employers’ Liability Tracing Office (ELTO) and records held at Companies House if a condition caused by exposure to organophosphates at work is diagnosed.
Even if an employer is no longer in business or a company was taken over a former employer’s business, it is still possible to trace the Employers' Liability (EL) insurer to make a claim for organophosphate poisoning compensation.
Duncan Lewis can also advise bereaved families whose loved one has lost their life as a result of organophosphate poisoning on how to make a no win no fee compensation claim.
Duncan Lewis Industrial Claims Solicitors – No win no fee Organophosphate Poisoning Compensation Claims
Duncan Lewis industrial claims solicitors are leading firm of no win no fee lawyers and can advise victims of industrial diseases and their families on how to make organophosphate poisoning compensation claims.
Duncan Lewis industrial claims solicitors employ medical experts in industrial diseases if it is necessary to prove a link between a claimant’s employment and being diagnosed with symptoms caused by organophosphate poisoning in the workplace.
Because of the limitation period for making claims for work-related organophosphate poisoning symptoms, Duncan Lewis industrial claims solicitors advise claimants to get in touch as soon as possible after diagnosis of organophosphate poisoning to discuss making a compensation claim.
For expert legal advice on no win no fee Organophosphate Poisoning Compensation Claims call Duncan Lewis Industrial Claims Solicitors on 020 7923 4020.