Solvent Exposure Compensation Claim

Solvent Exposure Compensation Claim

Duncan Lewis Industrial Disease Claims Solicitors – No win no fee Solvent Exposure Compensation Claim

Exposure to solvents in industry can affect workers’ health in a variety of ways – either from fumes which are inhaled in the workplace, or as a result of contact with solvents or absorbing solvents into the bloodstream via the skin.

As a result, industrial workers may have a higher risk for a wide range of debilitating and potentially life threatening diseases, including:

• Bladder cancer
• Brain injury
• Central nervous system disorders
• Kidney cancer
• Liver damage
• Lung cancer
• Occupational dermatitis
• Reproductive organ disorders (inc birth injuries)
• Respiratory disease.

Industrial workers with a high risk of exposure to solvents at work include:

• Adhesive industry workers
• Carpet manufacturers
• Chemical industry workers
• Dye industry workers
• Industrial cleaners
• Metalworkers
• Paintshop workers
• Plastics industry workers
• Textile workers
• Varnishers
• Woodworkers.

It has long been recognised that being exposed to chemicals in the workplace can result in significant neurological damage – especially in cases where a worker has been exposed to a cocktail of chemicals, two of the most potent of which are richloroethylene and dichloromethane.

Organic solvents used in agriculture are also scrutinised by The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.

Symptoms of solvent exposure include:

• Brain injury
• Breathing difficulties
• Cardiac/heart problems
• Coma
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Dermatitis
• Eye irritation
• Headache
• Mobility problems (eg unable to stand)
• Nausea
• Trembling/tremors
• Unconsciousness.

Some solvents may cause low levels of oxygen in the blood which can lead to brain injury – neurological injury may lead to conditions such as Parkinsonia.

Workers who gradually lose consciousness may also sustain serious injuries if they fall or suffer a collapse.

Employers have a legal duty to carry out a risk assessment in the workplace to protect workers from the risk of solvent exposure – including carrying out air testing and ensuring ventilation is adequate and solvents are stored safely.

Employers must also advise workers of the health risks of exposure to solvent – and supply any safety equipment needed, as well as providing health checks if necessary.

Duncan Lewis industrial disease claims solicitors can advise workers who have been diagnosed with industrial diseases caused by solvent exposure at work on how to make a no win no fee solvent exposure claim for compensation.

Making a Claim for Solvent Exposure Compensation

Workers who have been diagnosed with diseases caused by solvent 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 developing an industrial disease caused by solvent exposure – or has failed to advise a worker of the risks under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002.

Because disease relating to solvent exposure can take years to develop, Duncan Lewis Industrial Disease Claims Solicitors can help with tracing the insurers of a former employer using the Employers’ Liability Tracing Office (ELTO) and records held at Companies House. 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 solvent exposure compensation.

Duncan Lewis can also advise bereaved families whose loved one has lost their life from a work-related disease caused by exposure to solvents – or was diagnosed at post-mortem with industrial disease caused by solvent exposure – on how to make a no win no fee compensation claim.

Duncan Lewis Industrial Disease Claims Solicitors – No win no fee Solvent Exposure Compensation Claims

Industrial Disease 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 solvent exposure compensation claims – including historic cases where a disease or degenerative condition caused by exposure to hazardous chemicals at work has been diagnosed.

Duncan Lewis Industrial Disease Claims Solicitors employ medical experts in industrial diseases if it is necessary to prove a link between a claimant’s employment and later being diagnosed with a disease caused by exposure to solvents in the workplace.

Because of the limitation period for making claims for solvent exposure, Duncan Lewis Industrial Disease Claims Solicitors advise claimants to get in touch as soon as possible after diagnosis of industrial disease linked to solvent exposure to discuss making a compensation claim.

For expert legal advice on no win no fee Solvent Exposure Compensation Claims call Duncan Lewis Industrial Disease Claims Solicitors on 020 7923 4020.