Our guide to occupational lung disease

What is occupational lung disease?

Occupational lung disease is lung disease caused by elements you may be exposed to in a working environment. In some jobs, you may breathe dangerous material into your lungs, material that is found in particles in the air around you. Long-term exposure to these hazardous materials can end up causing lung damage.

What are the various types of occupational lung disease?

There are various types of occupational lung disease. These include: 

1. Asbestosis 

This can be caused by breathing asbestos fibres. It causes lung damage in the form of lung scarring and causes stiffness of the lungs. 

2. Black lung disease/ Coal worker's pneumoconiosis

If you have been exposed to coal dust and subsequently inhale it, you can experience lung damage in the form of scarring and inflammation.

3. Silicosis

This occupational lung disease is a result of breathing in airborne crystalline silica, causing lung damage in the form of lung scarring. You could also contract other respiratory conditions if you have this lung disease. 

4. Brown lung disease/byssinosis

If you are a textile worker this may affect you, as you may have inhaled dust from:

• hemp
• flax
• cotton processing

5. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis

This is an allergic lung disease with varying types, depending on the type of job you do. It is caused by breathing in substances such as bacteria, mouldy hair or specific chemicals. This respiratory condition results in lung damage in the form of inflated air sacs.

6. Work-related asthma

Working in industries such as food processing and farming can result this respiratory condition, due to breathing in materials such as:

• dust;
• gases;
• fumes; and 
• vapours.

 It shows symptoms of a chronic cough and wheezing.

Other types of lung diseases include lung cancer and infectious disease.

What causes work-related lung disease?

In most cases,occupational lung disease is caused by direct exposure at work to elements that include:

• dust
• gases
• vapours
• fumes

When your lungs are exposed to these on a long-term basis, it can result in this respiratory condition causing lung damage and therefore, lung-related health problems. 

What are my employer's health and safety responsibilities?

Your employer must ensure that working conditions for their workers are safe. They must protect staff from the potential of contracting lung diseases.  It is estimated that there are  over 450,000 cases of occupational lung disease in the UK, so this is a major work-related health issue,

Where possible, legally your employer must:

• provide alternative processes
• use less dangerous materials
• ensure adequate ventilation in the workplace
• provide protective equipment, if exposure to harmful substances is absolutely necessary

Can I claim occupational lung disease compensation?

If you, unfortunately, have occupational lung disease, you may due compensation for any suffering or injuries you've endured as a result of your working environment, and may be able to make a claim for your respiratory condition, 

Additionally, you may also be entitled to other forms of financial help which can assist you in living with your respiratory condition such as:

• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB)
• cost of living payments

Other state benefits such as help towards your prescription costs.

How can claiming occupational lung disease help my recovery?

If you have occupational lung disease,making a compensation claim can help your recovery. A claim can:

• give you a lump sum of money to aid your recovery and change of lifestyle
• ensure that those responsible for your lung problems and lung damage make amends
• be a positive step as part of your recovery from this respiratory condition as it means something good has come of a bad situation

How do you make no-win no fee lung disease claims?

If you have occupational lung disease, you may be able to make your compensation claim on a no-win no fee basis for your respiratory condition. This means that you can make a personal injury claim for your lung damage with no risk if the lung problems are not a fault of your own.

Do you have any respiratory conditions such as occupational lung disease and are suffering from lung damage and lung problems?

If you have occupational lung disease, you may be due personal injury compensation, so call us now on . If the respiratory condition is not your fault, we may be able to assist you in making a compensation claim. 

At National Accident Helpline, we understand the debilitating effects of contracting lung diseases so are aware of the difficulties you may be experiencing in adjusting your life to having a respiratory condition. It is, therefore, essential that you get any compensation you are justifiably due.  

We ensure that your claim process is as straightforward as possible so that claiming for your lung disease, a life-changing condition,  is made as easy as possible. We provide a facility to calculate your potential compensation online by using our compensation calculator.  

Having occupational lung disease is a life-changing experience, so advisors will calmly and attentively listen to your situation. They will help you with the compensation you may be able to claim and then pass you to a specialist solicitor who will follow through with your claim. Let National Accident Helpline help you today - Call today, request a call back here or begin your claim online.