Respiratory and Lung Disease claims

Our expert industrial disease specialists have secured respiratory compensation for tens of thousands of people across the UK who have developed a respiratory or lung disease as a result of their workplace conditions.

Respiratory and lung diseases, such as occupational asthma, asbestosis, lung cancer and silicosis are caused by breathing in irritants e.g. dust, silica and fumes.

Depending on the level of exposure, symptoms of a respiratory disease – which can include a persistent cough, a fever, breathing difficulties and tiredness - can take years to develop. Although many are treatable, sadly, some respiratory diseases are fatal. It’s estimated that around 12,000 deaths each year are due to a work-related respiratory disease.

If you believe that exposure to a harmful substance has caused you or a loved one to develop a respiratory disease, it’s important to seek medical advice, so that the condition can be properly diagnosed.

How Thompsons Solicitors can help you make a respiratory or lung disease claim

Our industrial disease lawyers are experts in respiratory and lung disease claims and we understand just how difficult it can be for you and your loved ones to come to terms with the diagnosis.

With our extensive experience (we have run many of the test cases that help establish the law around industrial disease), we will work quickly to establish whether you have a valid claim for respiratory compensation and put you in touch with charities and support groups while we fight your case.

To start the claim process today, contact us on 0800 0 224 224, fill out our free no-obligation online form or make a request for one of our lawyers to call you back.

Frequently Asked Questions about Respiratory and Lung Disease claims

1. What are the different types of respiratory and lung diseases?

There are many different types of respiratory disease but some include:

• Asthma
• Asbestosis
• Lung cancer
• Silicosis
• Black lung
• Brown lung
• Coal worker’s lung
• Respiratory acidosis
• Extrinsic allergic alvolitis
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) e.g. emphysema and bronchitis
  
  

If you or a loved one has suffered from the above, you may be entitled to claim for respiratory compensation. Get in touch with our specialist lawyers to discuss your lung disease claim.

2. What causes a respiratory or lung disease?

Inhaling irritants such as dust and fumes can cause respiratory and lung conditions, and can also worsen pre-existing conditions. For example, exposure to asbestos dust can cause asbestosis, lung cancer or other asbestos-related diseases to develop, and exposure to silica can cause silicosis.

Breathing in coal dust, spores, dust from textiles, fumes from welding, smelting, pottery-making and plastics manufacturing, spores from grain and wool, and mould from hay can also cause respiratory diseases.

Vapours from chemicals and gases such as formaldehyde, chlorine and ammonia are particularly dangerous. Other harmful fumes can be found in paints, acids and solvents, cleaning materials, lacquers and pesticides.

3. What are the symptoms of a respiratory or lung disease?

Common symptoms of a respiratory or lung diseases include, but are not limited to:

• Breathlessness
• Wheezing
• Tight chest
• Persistent chesty cough
• Frequent chest infections
  
  

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should visit your GP so that they can medically assess you.

4. Am I at risk of developing a work-related respiratory or lung disease?

There are certain industries and work activities which are linked to a higher percentage of workers developing a respiratory and lung disease. People who work in construction, agriculture, manufacturing, automotive and mining industries are at greater risk of developing a respiratory or lung condition, as they are exposed to harmful fumes, gases, vapours, dust and chemicals.

5. Can I make a lung disease claim?

Yes. If you have been diagnosed with a lung disease as a result of your working conditions, or you believe that your lung disease is connected to your work, you may have a claim for respiratory disease compensation. Get in touch with our sympathetic and specialist industrial disease lawyers on 0800 0 224 224 or request a callback to discuss your case and for legal advice on respiratory and lung disease claims.

6. Do I have to pay to claim for respiratory disease compensation?

We have a variety of options available to help fund your lung disease claim. Making a claim with Thompsons is free if you or a member of your family is part of a trade union. For non-trade union members, we operate a conditional fee agreement, also known as ‘no win, no fee’. This means if your case is unsuccessful, you won’t have to pay any charges and we limit the deductions we take if you win. For more information about funding your claim, visit our fees and payment page.

7. How long does it take to secure respiratory compensation?

The length of time it takes to secure compensation for your lung disease claim depends on the type of case. While some cases can be settled within a few months, more complicated cases can take years to resolve. Our specialist lawyers will work hard to fight your case and secure your compensation in the shortest time possible.

8. Why should I trust Thompsons with my lung disease claim? 

As one of the UK’s leading personal injury law firms, we have supported tens of thousands of people who have been injured at work through no fault of their own. We have a strong track record of securing hundreds of thousands of pounds in compensation for clients who have been diagnosed with a respiratory or lung disease, as a result of their working conditions. What’s more, we only ever act on behalf of the injured and mistreated, and will never represent the employer or an insurance company.

If you wish to make a claim for respiratory compensation, get in touch with our industrial disease lawyers today. Complete our online claim form to start your claim, or can contact our lawyers on 0800 0 224 224 for free legal advice. Alternatively, you can request a callback.