Occupational Dermatitis Claims
Contact dermatitis is a painful skin disorder with symptoms that may impair a person’s ability to work, or in the worst cases, prevent them from working altogether. By claiming compensation, you can cover the cost of medical treatment and any wages lost due to time out of work during your recovery, as well as secure recompense for the pain and suffering this condition has caused you.
If you think your employer was negligent and this resulted in you contracting dermatitis or another skin disorder, contact our team today to discuss making a claim. JMW is highly experienced in helping people who have suffered due to poor working conditions gain the compensation they deserve.
For expert advice and to discuss your claim, speak to our team today on 0345 872 6666. Alternatively, complete our online contact form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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How JMW Can Help
Our experienced team of industrial disease solicitors has a wealth of expertise in helping individuals who have developed dermatitis as a result of someone else’s negligence to claim compensation. We will provide you with specialist advice throughout the process, ensuring you are well informed throughout.
We have extensive knowledge of the issues surrounding contact dermatitis, and are familiar with the difficulties that contact dermatitis can throw up and will work hard to provide you with the tools to help reduce the effects that this disease can have on your life.
The team at JMW works in a professional and proactive manner towards the best outcome for you. Our solicitors are friendly and approachable, and will strive to make the process as hassle-free as possible. We know that occupational dermatitis compensation can make a huge difference to your recovery, and we're committed to helping you overcome the challenges of this condition.
What’s more, we work on a no win, no fee basis, meaning you are not placing yourself under any financial risk in the event of an unsuccessful claim. Start your occupational dermatitis compensation claim with JMW today to seek justice and avoid financial losses due to an employer's negligence.
What Is Contact Dermatitis?
Contact dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin that occurs when the skin is irritated by a substance, usually a chemical or something similar. Those most at risk include people who work in cleaning, manufacturing or the production of plastics and other products.
What seems a simple and manageable condition on the surface can be incredibly debilitating. If you are affected by contact dermatitis, you may find you suffer with daily pain and have difficulty undertaking your job. It may even mean that you can no longer work in the same role.
If you have developed contact dermatitis as a result of coming into contact with chemicals in your workplace, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. Your compensation could be used to cover anything from lost earnings to the cost of medical care and to cover household bills.
Who is at Risk of Contact Dermatitis?
Individuals whose occupations involve contact with chemical products are most at risk of suffering from contact dermatitis due to overexposure to these harmful irritants. If your employer fails to provide protective clothing, the risk of contracting symptoms becomes much higher.
Occupations most at risk to contact dermatitis include:
- Those who work in the chemical sector
- Paint industry workers
- Cleaners
- People in the food industry
- Farmers
- Hairdressers
- Beauticians
- Chefs
- Metalworkers
- Florists
- Construction workers
Contact dermatitis isn’t always caused as a result of someone’s occupation. Substances causing skin irritation are used in an array of different environments and exposure to these substances may occur whilst you are a visitor on someone else’s premises, have employed somebody's services or as the result of a purchase you’ve made.
If your dermatitis has developed as the result of a third party’s negligence, you are still able to make a claim and our team is very well equipped to be able to handle it on your behalf. Take a look at our compensation calculator to get further information on this element of skin damage in a non-work setting.
Preventing and Treating Contact Dermatitis
Contact dermatitis can be effectively prevented by reducing exposure to harmful chemicals and irritants. When working with irritants, wearing protective clothing is of vital importance in ensuring you are protected and is the first step in reducing symptoms.
Depending on the severity and longevity of your symptoms, dermatitis can be treated using a number of methods, including:
- Prescription of a moisturising cream to help combat dry skin.
- If moisturising doesn’t help, you will be prescribed a topical corticosteroid (steroid treatment) in the form of a cream, gel or ointment. Steroid treatment aims to reduce inflammation and irritation.
- If you are in need of stronger treatment, corticosteroid medication will be prescribed in the form of oral medication, injection or inhaler. This treatment reduces inflammation and suppresses the immune system to aid recovery.
- If the above treatment methods do not work, your doctor may recommend phototherapy treatment that involves using ultraviolet light to treat the skin. However, this treatment comes with risks, such as skin cancer, that you should discuss with your doctor.
If you have been diagnosed with contact dermatitis that developed due to the negligence of your employer, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible. Making a claim for compensation will help ensure you receive the best treatment to help with your dermatitis.
How Can Employer Negligence Lead to Occupational Dermatitis?
Employers are legally required under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 to provide a safe working environment and minimise the risk of irritant-contact dermatitis. Steps they should take include:
- Conducting comprehensive risk assessments.
- Providing effective personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensuring its proper use.
- Offering training on safe handling of substances.
- Maintaining hygiene facilities and standards.
- Substituting hazardous substances with safer alternatives where possible.
- Implementing health surveillance programmes.
- Complying with COSHH Regulations regarding the storage of and handling of hazardous chemicals.
When employers fail to meet these obligations, their negligence can lead to employees developing occupational dermatitis or related conditions. Negligence can take any of the following forms:
- Failure to identify hazards: Employers must assess workplace risks, including those posed by hazardous substances. Neglecting to carry out a thorough risk assessment may result in employees being exposed to irritants or allergens without adequate protective measures.
- Inadequate training: Insufficient training on the risks associated with hazardous substances and how to handle them safely leaves employees unaware of the potential dangers, which increases the likelihood of unsafe practices.
- Lack of protective equipment: If employers do not provide suitable PPE (which may include gloves, aprons, or barrier creams), or supply inadequate or unsuitable PPE, this can expose employees to harmful substances and be considered negligence.
- Poor workplace hygiene or unsuitable facilities: Neglecting to maintain proper hygiene facilities, such as sinks with running water, soap, or hand drying options, can exacerbate the risk of dermatitis. Similarly, poor cleaning practices can increase employees' exposure to harmful substances. Employers could be liable to pay compensation in these cases.
- Exposure to known allergens: Employers must take reasonable steps to remove or substitute known allergens from the workplace or minimise exposure. Ignoring this duty can directly result in employees developing allergic contact dermatitis.
- Failure to monitor and manage health risks: Employers should implement health surveillance programmes to detect early signs of dermatitis and address them promptly. Neglecting this duty can allow the condition to worsen, potentially leading to chronic issues.
Employers who fail to uphold effective safety measures not only jeopardise employee health but may also breach their legal obligations, exposing themselves to legal claims and regulatory penalties. If you have developed dermatitis or a related skin disease in circumstances such as these, speak to our experts about an occupational dermatitis claim today.
FAQs About Occupational Dermatitis Claims
- What causes contact dermatitis?
Contact dermatitis is caused by an irritant to the skin. Irritants can take many forms, including:
- Antibacterials
- Solvents
- Chemicals
- Detergents
- Acids
- Dust, cement and other construction powders
You may be exposed to any of these in the course of your work, and, if your skin isn’t properly protected, exposure may lead to you developing contact dermatitis.
- What are the symptoms of contact dermatitis?
The symptoms of contact dermatitis can be seen and felt on the skin. The severity of symptoms can vary from mild to very painful, depending on the individual’s level of exposure and susceptibility to forming a reaction to the irritant.
There are a number of symptoms you may develop that can indicate you’ve contracted contact dermatitis. This includes:
- Itchiness
- Dryness
- Burning
- Stinging
In the worst cases, your skin may also crack and develop blisters, or simply become redder.
If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible.
- What is the occupational dermatitis claims process?
There are several steps that you must follow to claim occupational dermatitis compensation. While the claims process is different in every case, a compensation claim will always follow the same underlying structure.
The first step is to obtain a medical diagnosis based on any symptoms of occupational dermatitis that you are experiencing. A healthcare professional should assess these symptoms to determine whether you have occupational dermatitis, and then whether the condition was caused or worsened by exposure to substances in your workplace. This will result in a medical report documenting the severity of the condition, potential triggers, and prognosis, which will form a crucial piece of evidence.
From there, instruct a solicitor who specialises in workplace injury claims to evaluate your case. At JMW, our dermatitis claim experts will assess the evidence linking your condition to workplace exposure, evaluate whether your employer breached their legal obligations, and assess how much compensation you could be owed. Your solicitor will also advise on time limits - claims for occupational dermatitis must typically be made within three years of the onset of symptoms, or the date you became aware the condition was work-related.
At this stage, your solicitor will gather more evidence to accompany your medical records. These will include workplace documents like risk assessments, training logs, and COSHH compliance documents and any photos you have taken of your skin condition and the substances or equipment that caused it. We will contact witnesses like colleagues who have experienced similar conditions or can corroborate your descriptions of unsafe practices and take statements. Finally, we will need proof of lost earnings, medical expenses, and other costs incurred as a result of your condition, for which financial documents can be used.
Our aim with this evidence is to show that your employer failed to uphold their duty of care and that you suffered industrial dermatitis as a result. When we have built a rigorous case with strong evidence, your personal injury solicitor will submit a formal claim to your employer (or their insurer) that outlines the allegations of negligence and the compensation being sought. The negligent party will have an opportunity to respond either by accepting liability or denying it. Many claims are resolved through negotiation without proceeding to court after the other party admits their liability.
If your employer denies liability or a settlement cannot be reached, your solicitor may initiate legal proceedings. The case will then be heard by a judge, who will determine the outcome. We'll represent you in court using the evidence we have collected and fight for the best possible outcome. We can work on a no-win, no-fee basis for an occupational dermatitis compensation claim, which allows you to seek justice without any financial risk.
- How much compensation can you receive from occupational dermatitis claims?
Every compensation claim is different, and the compensation in each case depends on the specifics of the situation. For example, the severity of your condition determines how much compensation you will receive in terms of general damages, which is different in each case. Your financial losses will also affect your award, as specific costs may be covered by the compensation.
Payments are typically divided into two categories: general damages and special damages. General damages compensate for the pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life caused by occupational dermatitis. The amount is influenced by factors such as the severity of the dermatitis, the long-term impact and any related psychological effects, such as anxiety, depression, or social isolation caused by occupational dermatitis.
Special damages cover the financial losses you have incurred or may incur as a result of your condition, based on evidence you can provide. Losses can include:
- Earnings, if your condition has caused you to take time off work or reduced your ability to do your job. This includes current lost earnings and estimated future earnings if the condition is long-term or permanent.
- Medical expenses, including for consultations, medications, and specialist care.
- Care costs, for professional services or care provided by friends or family members.
- Travel costs associated with medical appointments or seeking alternative employment if necessary.
Speak to our experts for a free consultation and by discussing your circumstances in detail, we can advise you of how much compensation you could be owed.
Talk to Us
To speak to an occupational dermatitis claims expert about your case, contact JMW's friendly team today. Call us on 0345 872 6666 or complete our online contact form and we will be in touch at a time convenient for you.
