An occupational cancer is caused by exposure to cancer-causing substances or radiation or a mixture of the two. These substances include carcinogens, asbestos and industrial processes, as well as too much exposure to the sun’s rays and UV lighting. Workers can be exposed to these materials through inhalation, ingestion and absorption through the skin.

If you have been diagnosed with an occupational cancer, then you may be able to make a compensation claim.

People who work in certain professions can have a higher risk of developing an occupational cancer as a result of their working conditions. This is because they are in regular contact with harmful chemicals and radiation. The jobs where workers are most at risk of developing occupational cancer include:

• Construction

• Painting

• Manufacturing

• Mining

• Service industries

• Agriculture, forestry and fishing

• Military personnel (both civilian and those on the front line)

Family members of those who work in these industries can also be exposed through secondary exposure, such as work clothes and other materials being brought into the home.

If your job involves working with hazardous chemicals and substances on a regular basis, it is your employer’s responsibility to prevent and control exposure to materials that may cause cancer. The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) places a legal duty on employers to protect the health and safety of their employees. Your employer must undertake assessments under COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) and provide you with the information about the hazards and risks involved with your work.

If you have been diagnosed with a type of cancer which you believe is work-related, then Thompsons can advise whether you can make an occupational cancer claim. Our industrial disease lawyers will review your case and talk you through the process of making a claim for compensation. We can also provide you with access to the best sources of expert care and support groups to help you and your loved ones through your diagnosis.

To start the process of making a claim or for more information, contact us on 0800 0 224 224, request a call back or complete our online claim form.

There are a number of ways in which you can fund your occupational cancer claim. Trade union members and their family benefit from free legal advice and representation as part of their union scheme. Union members are also guaranteed to keep 100 per cent of their compensation and face no deduction for legal fees.

If you are not part of a trade union, we have other funding options available such as our conditional fee agreement, commonly known as ‘no win, no fee’. For more information about funding options, visit our fees and payment page.

The amount of compensation you can expect from an occupational cancer claim depends on the individual case. Typically, compensation for a life-threatening disease is higher than any other accident at work claim. Our lawyers will provide you with an estimate of how much you are likely to get after reviewing your case. As part of our pledge, we’ll make sure we secure the largest sum of compensation we can for you in the shortest time possible.

Thompsons has decades of experience in helping thousands of people secure compensation for their occupational cancer claims. We only ever act on behalf of the injured and mistreated, never employers or insurance companies.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer as a result of your working conditions, get in touch with us to start your occupational cancer claim. Call us on 0800 0 224 224 to discuss your case, or request a call back. Alternatively, you can start the process by filling in our free no-obligation, online claim form.