Common conditions
Industrial Deafness:
Deafness does not necessarily mean you are deaf.
It can also mean that you have trouble hearing in company or you may have noticed the TV has to be louder for you than others. You may have difficulty in group conversations or you may suffer from a buzzing in the ears called tinnitus.
These are common symptoms for somebody who has worked in a noisy environment and can form the basis of a substantial compensation reward.
There are a number of other requirements that need to be fulfilled, which include:
1. You must have had at least some of your exposure to noise after 1963, as this was the year employers should have been made aware they were responsible for protecting your hearing.
2. British law requires a claim to be made within 3 years of finding out that your condition was caused by work. There are a number of ways to trace this date such as if your GP or other medical professional has told you your hearing loss was work related, or if you have previously tried to claim for your hearing loss. If you have only recently become aware that your hearing loss may be work related you can still claim. If you are at all unsure, call our freephone number and one of our friendly staff will gladly help.
3. In order to make a claim your solicitor will trace your (ex) employers insurance companies, and claim a part of the compensation from each one. Unfortunately, if you have worked for more than 5 different noisy employers we are unable to claim enough from each one to make the claim worthwhile for you.
Don't worry whether or not you can claim for industrial deafness, simply call our freephone number and our staff will try their very best to assist you: 0800 083 2230
Vibration White Finger:
Vibration White Finger, VWF, HAVS
It has many names but its symptoms are obvious. They include numbness in your fingers and hands and the inability to grip or perform delicate tasks with your hands. You may also notice a whitening of your fingers. Vibration White Finger is commonly associated with using handheld vibrating tools such as drills, sanders, riveters, breakers, grinders, etc.
Some points to note with Vibration White Finger are:
1. If your symptoms began over 2 years after you last used vibrating tools, it is commonly found that your condition is not work related.
2. You must have had at least some of your exposure to vibrating tools after 1976, as this was the year employers should have been made aware they were responsible for protecting your welfare.
3. British law requires a claim to be made within 3 years of finding out that your condition was caused by work. There are a number of ways to trace this date including if your GP or other medical professional has told you your condition was work related, or if you have previously tried to claim for your VWF. If you have only recently become aware that your symptoms may be work related you can still claim. If you are at all unsure, call our freephone number and one of our friendly staff will gladly help: 0800 083 2230
4. In order to make a claim, your solicitor will trace your (ex) employers insurance companies and claim a part of the compensation from each one. Unfortunately, if you have worked for more than 5 different negligent employers we are unable to claim enough from each one to make the claim worthwhile for you.
Respiratory Disease:
Respiratory problems can be caused by a number of conditions such as working in a particularly dusty atmosphere. Problems can also occur when you handle asbestos, which can lead to serious health implications.
Some points to note with respiratory claims are:
1. If you are or have been a smoker it is almost impossible to tell what has caused your breathing difficulties and it is impossible to claim against your (ex) employer. (This does not effect asbestos related claims).
2. It is very important that before you begin your claim you visit your GP and ask them to diagnose your problem, as it helps the solicitor value your claim.
3. British law requires a claim to be made within 3 years of finding out that your condition was caused by work. There are a number of ways to trace this date including if your GP or other medical professional has told you your condition was work related, or if you have previously tried to claim for your respiratory problem. If you have only recently become aware that your symptoms may be work related you can still claim. If you are at all unsure, call our freephone number and one of our friendly staff will gladly help: 0800 083 2230