Occupational Dermatitis Compensation Claims

Dermatitis is a serious condition which is characterised by inflammation or burning of the skin as a result of coming into contact with skin sensitizers or irritants. This skin condition can have a long term effect on someone’s life because it’s not treatable, but there are medications which can be used for the rest of your life. Depending on its severity, dermatitis can make it hard for you to attend work, therefore losing your livelihoods. The pain and discomfort, together with the inconvenience of having to use medications throughout your life, is something that most people will never want to think about. Certain creams can help with the itching or soreness but it will only be temporary. The best moisturiser for your skin condition is possibly emollients as they can help to keep the moisture within your skin as they are quite oily.

Do You Suffer From Occupational Dermatitis Disease?

Has your health been affected by previous working conditions, or there has been an accident at work and you have been exposed to a spillage? Then you may be entitled to compensation. You may not believe that because of poor working conditions that your health has reduced to such a state whereby you struggle to carry out everyday tasks. However, over the years the likelihood of your work related performance becoming worse will be high due to these working conditions. Therefore, we as a solicitors team take great care in looking after our clients, whom may believe they have suffered occupational dermatitis disease throughout their working lives due to poor working conditions or the incorrect safety equipment.

What Are The Different Types of Dermatitis?

There are three main kinds of contact dermatitis, which include:

• Irritant contact dermatitis: This is caused by substances that dry out the skin before causing destruction. Some of these substances include oils, detergents, solvents and prolonged contact with water.

• Allergic Contact Dermatitis: This is mainly caused by an allergy that is caused by things that get into contact with substances such as cement, epoxy resins and chemicals among others.

• Contact Urticara: This type of dermatitis can be attributed to such things as natural-rubber latex gloves, certain types of foods and plants.

In Which Industries is Occupational Dermatitis Common?

It’s most common in sectors such as a healthcare worker, florist, hairdresser, barber, cook or chef, beautician, dental nurse, printer, cleaner, engineer, caterer, carpenter, construction worker, and food processor. However, dermatitis can occur in any workplace where there is potential exposure to skin irritants and related substances.

What Are The Most Common Symptoms of Dermatitis?

Itchy and red skin is normally the first symptom of dermatitis. However, as the condition gets worse, the skin gets swollen, cracked and blistered, therefore causing irritation and severe pain.

What Should I Do If You Think I Have Dermatitis?

The first step if you think you have dermatitis is to report at your place of work’s clinic and get checked by a qualified medical professional. They will be able to provide you with the right kinds of treatment such as wet compresses and creams. The medics will also advise you on the substances to avoid because they are responsible for the condition. After this, you should seek medical help from a reputable solicitor who will look into the possibility of making occupational dermatitis compensation claims on your behalf. This was, you will be able to get a fairly compensated.

Can I Ask For Occupational Dermatitis Compensation Claims?

Absolutely yes. The amount which is awarded as compensation reflects the severity as well as the nature of suffering which you have undergone. Working with an experienced solicitor is the best way to go because they have a clear understanding of how to go about with the claims. Just like other personal injury compensation claims, there are legal procedures to be followed as well as important time frames which will need to be observed. Moreover, it takes an experienced solicitor service to know how much should be claimed after you have been confirmed to be suffering from occupational dermatitis.

How Much Compensation Can I Ask For Occupational Dermatitis?

There are many factors that determine how much compensation you will need to ask for. The amount of suffering and pain, costs used in the treatment and future loss of income are some of the considerations which should be looked into before making a decision regarding how much compensation should be asked for. An estimate for your compensation claim is quite hard to judge until you have been given an official diagnosis by your doctor. Once we have found out how far your condition has deteriorated then we will be able to give you a better estimate of your claim amount.

How Can I Show That my Employer is Legally Responsible?

Provided that the condition can be attributed to conditions at your place of work, the employer will have no defence, but to pay up. However, from the time you get treated at your employer’s clinic, it’s imperative that you preserve the documentation because this will serve as evidence during later stages. Your lawyer will help prove that your employer had a duty to ensure that you are protected against the conditions that cause the skin condition. Material contribution concept or test will be applied while showing that your employer is fully responsible for the injuries, and so they should compensate you. While working in hazardous environments, your employer is tasked with making available protective gear for you and if they failed to do so, they can be held fully responsible.

It is up to your employer to ensure that you have a safe working environment so you are not exposed to substances that can cause occupational dermatitis. There are:

• An Updated Safety Statement
• Control Measures
• Health Surveillance
• A Risk Assessment

Occupational Dermatitis, even though it is not entirely contagious, it is important that you take the correct safety steps at an early stage anyway. If an allergen, detergent or cleaning agent has come into contact with your skin, get it treated immediately.

How Long Can I Wait Before Claiming For Occupational Dermatitis Compensation?

It is important to know that occupational dermatitis compensation claims are categorized under personal injury claims and if you don’t file a claim within the stipulated time frame, you lose the rights to bring up the case in future, therefore it’s imperative that you bring up the case before the end of three years after the condition comes into your knowledge. However, the earlier, the better, as occupational dermatitis can cause long term effects to your skin’s health and if your condition gets worse then you may find it hard to go back to work to support yourself and your family.

Why Tylers Solicitors For Your Occupational Dermatitis Compensation Claims?

We have a good reputation for being easily approachable and we give professional help to each individual claim made by our clients to assess their case. You do not need to worry about any legal complexities involved within your case as we will take care of that for you and explain the process of making your claim so you are fully aware of every step to the procedure. 

How Many Different Types of Dermatitis Are There?

Although not every case of dermatitis can be claimed for there are actually many different types of it.

• Atopic Dermatitis
• Autoimmune Progesterone Dermatitis
• Dermatitis Artefacta
• Dermatitis Herpetiformis
• Dyshidrotic Dermatitis
• Exfoliative Dermatitis
• Flea Allergy Dermatitis
• Military Dermatitis
• Nummular Dermatitis
• Occupational Dermatitis
• Perioral Dermatitis
• Periorbital Dermatitis
• Seb Dermatitis
• Seborrheic Dermatitis
• Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
• Spongiotic Dermatitis
• Stasis Dermatitis
• Vulvar Dermatitis

Contact Dermatitis

When you come into contact with a specific substance and you get dermatitis as a result, then this is referred to as contact dermatitis, as your skin has come into contact with a substance that has caused the dermatitis. Quote often these substances are either irritants or allergens. An irritant will damage the outer layer of the skin whilst and allergen will cause your immune system to react towards your skin. Up to 80% of cases of contact dermatitis are caused by irritants or allergens.

Similar to eczema, contact dermatitis causes the skin to become affected with painful red blisters, which can become dry and scaly and even crack, which can be even more painful. This can happen within hours or days of the contact with the irritant or allergen. The most commonly affected areas are the hands and the face, as they are generally the most exposed to poor working environments.

Symptoms can range from mild to severe but in any case you should seek medical help straight away as you never know if your condition can worsen. Topical and oral corticosteroids can help relieve the symptoms that you have developed.

If your health diminishes over time and you feel it is because of your past or current working conditions, then we want to stress the importance of receiving medical advice. If results from your doctors diagnosis confirm that your illness is work related, then you should seek legal advice on (freephone): 0800 699 0079 about possible compensation. We work on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ arrangement and are always available to answer any of your questions.

For any Industrial Disease Claims, call Tylers Solicitors today, a leading UK provider of no-win, no-fee legal services. Our experienced team will work with you to get the maximum amount of compensation you’re entitled to, following any kind of injury that isn’t your fault!