Industrial Disease

The industrial disease claim team at Bond Pearce are recognised as specialists in dealing with industrial disease cases. In the past twelve months alone the industrial disease solicitors have provided industrial injury compensation legal advice and dealt with over a thousand cases involving asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer, noise induced hearing loss, occupational deafness, vibration white finger, whole body vibration, respiratory diseases and skin diseases. Because of this expertise we are able to get to the issues quickly and we understand what matters to our clients.

If you have have suffered a similar industrial accident contact one of our industrial disease lawyers for specialist legal advice. You can either fill out our online enquiry form, request a call back or call us direct on 0800 915 4650.

We have a number of cases where workers particularly in the ship building and dockyard industries suffered multiple injuries as they were working on ship refits that would take several years. They would be exposed to asbestos dust and suffer noise induced hearing loss as well. Those operating machinery that vibrated also suffered vibration white finger.

Some industrial diseases can take time to develop and it is often after someone has left an employer that they are diagnosed with an industrial illness. In some cases a person might still be employed by the same employer and we recognise that this can be a sensitive issue. Some clients are contractors and are therefore self employed. We are experienced in dealing with all of these issues swiftly and our expertise ensures that you get the right result.

What is an industrial disease?
An industrial disease is a disease, illness or disability resulting from conditions of employment and is usually due to exposure to physical, biological and chemical agents. These diseases are known as prescribed industrial diseases and there is a list of about 70 different diseases that present risks in particular jobs. For example some of the most well known industrial diseases include work related asthma, work-related chronic bronchitis and emphysema; asbestos related diseases; vibration white finger; deafness caused by work noise; pneumoconiosis; silicosis; dermatitis.

There are many others - click on the links on the right of this page to see the various job types, industries and activities as well as the substances, tools and equipment that are linked to developing industrial diseases.

INQUESTS FOLLOWING A DEATH FROM INDUSTRIAL DISEASE

If it is suspected that a death may have been caused by an industrial disease or related to the deceased's employment then it will be reported to the coroner. Approximately a third of all deaths in England are reported to the coroner. This is usually done by a GP or hospital doctor or the police. The coroner may then decide to order a post-mortem which allows a pathologist to ascertain the cause or causes of death. They will then arrange an inquest unless the post-mortem shows that death was due to natural causes, or has established the cause of sudden death.

For many the news that an inquest and post-mortem must take place comes as a complete shock. However, it should not delay the release of the body for a funeral for more than a few days whilst the post-mortem is being carried out.

Once the post-mortem is completed and there is a suspicion that the death may have been the result of an industrial disease then the inquest will be opened and adjourned to allow the body to be released to the family. The inquest is then re-opened at a later date when all the evidence that needs to be heard, such as statements from former work colleagues and the family is ready.

Having considered the evidence, the coroner may make a finding of "death by industrial disease". If the family is pursuing or intends to pursue a claim for compensation it can be helpful if the finding of death by industrial disease is made out at the inquest.

Following the death of a loved one, it is a very emotive time and the team at Bond Pearce are there to help you every step of the way.

More information about inquests