How Is Chemical Fumes Exposure Diagnosed As An Occupational Disease?

How Is Chemical Fumes Exposure Diagnosed As An Occupational Disease?

In order to diagnose any condition as an occupational disease it must be proved that the exposure to any agent that has caused harm to the sufferer has occurred in the workplace; either in a single outbreak or exposure such as in the case of a chemical leak or accident, or through repeated exposures over the course of their employment; such as someone breathing in chemical fumes on a regular basis throughout their working life.

In cases of accidents or chemical leaks in the workplace, it can be very clear that anyone suffering as a result of exposure to fumes in the direct aftermath of an incident is likely to have been affected in the workplace, and hence can claim compensation for a workplace injury or illness.

It can be more difficult however to clearly link some long-term health issues with workplace exposure for a variety of reasons.

Firstly, very few people these days stay in one job throughout their life, and so depending on the nature of work they are involved with, they might have worked for several different employers over the course of their career. Identifying which particular job was responsible for the exposure to fumes can be more difficult.

Many of the long-term lung conditions that can be caused by exposure to fumes within the workplace can take many years to manifest themselves or become noticeable, and so it can be difficult to identify when precisely the exposure took place.

Outside factors

As well as the factors mentioned above, some people can be more at risk of developing lung and breathing problems as a result of their family history, and many people who smoke, or have smoked, might have caused damage to their lungs which can be further exacerbated by exposure to fumes in their workplace.

If you visit your doctor with any kind of lung or breathing issues, they are likely to ask you a range of questions before commencing any kind of tests, so that they can build up a picture of what might be causing the issues. They will ask about your family history and whether you smoke or used to smoke. They will then ask you a range of questions about your work history to try and identify any specific irritants, allergens or chemicals that you have been exposed to that might cause specific issues. Some materials such as asbestos affect the lungs in ways that can be clearly identified, others such as cadmium can have a range of affects; some acute, some chronic, and some that are difficult to identify.

Ultimately, if your doctor can see a clear link between your symptoms and substances you have been exposed to as a result of your work, it is likely that you will be able to make a claim for compensation on the grounds of occupational disease. All employers should be aware of any hazardous substances used within their workplaces and should implement proper procedures and methods to reduce any risks as far as possible. If they fail to do that and as a result their employees are injured or become ill, then they will be liable for prosecution. If there is any uncertainty you should contact one of our highly experience solicitors who will be able to talk you through the process and see what can be done to help you.

Contact us today for free, no obligation advice regarding your chemical fumes injury claim – either by calling us free on 0800 122 3130, or by requesting a free call back, whereby one of our team will contact you at a time of your choosing to discuss your situation. When you contact us you are under no obligation to continue with the case unless you wish to do so.

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