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Industrial Disease Blog

The industrial disease team at Stephensons regularly write about related legal topics and  welcome your comments on our posts. If you would like more information on our services, please don't hesitate to get in touch on 01616 966 229.

 

Can you make an industrial disease claim if the company no longer exists?

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One of the main issues which deters people from pursuing an industrial disease claim is that some symptoms can take many years to develop or become noticeable, such as work-related lung cancer , asbestosis or hearing loss . As such, by the...

Is mesothelioma always caused by asbestos exposure?

Pauline Smith
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Mesothelioma is a cancer that develops in the lining that covers the outer surfaces of the body’s organs. Which organs are affected by mesothelioma? Usually, this disease affects the lining of the lungs, but can also affect the lining of the...

What are the first signs of asbestos poisoning?

Sarah Masters
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Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibre that was used mainly in the construction industry as well as other industries until 1999 when it was banned in the UK. Whilst it is now banned, you can still be exposed to asbestos as it may still remain in buildings...

Health & Safety Executive targets fabricated metal businesses to protect workers from occupational lung diseases

Sarah Masters
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Last year in the UK it is estimated that 12,000 people died from occupational lung diseases . As such, from 4th May 2021, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) started inspecting businesses in the fabricated metal industry to ensure they are managing the...

Turner & Newall asbestos claims - 20 years on...

Sarah Masters
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This year will mark 20 years since the infamous Turner & Newall company went into administration, ending 130 years of asbestos production in Greater Manchester and leaving a legacy of disease and death for the workers and their families. At its...

Why are there so many asbestos-related disease deaths over 20 years after asbestos was banned in the UK?

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In 2020 alone, there was over 5,000 asbestos-related disease deaths, including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. So the question remains, if the use of asbestos was banned in 1999, why are we still facing asbestos-related deaths over 20 years on?...

Increase in hand-arm vibration cases

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According to the latest HSE figures , in 2019 there were 205 new cases of hand-arm vibration syndrome in 2019, up from 180 cases in the previous year. New cases had been declining since 2015 when 635 cases were reported to the Industrial Injuries...

Health and Safety Executive targets construction firms in October with dustbusting initiative

Sarah Masters
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From Monday 5th October 2020, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will be targeting construction firms across Great Britain in a month long inspection initiative focussed on respiratory risks and occupational lung disease. The health and safety...

Dupuytren's Contracture recognised as an industrial disease

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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have recognised another condition, known as Dupuytren’s Contracture, as a recognised industrial disease for the purposes of making a claim for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB). This...

Record $3 million asbestos compensation award in Australia

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South Australian father of three, Matthew Werfel, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2017 after finding a lump in his groin. Mr Werfel worked as a fencing contractor as a teenager and was found to have been exposed to asbestos dust during that role. He was...

Latest figures reveal over 2,500 people died of mesothelioma in 2017

Sarah Masters
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently published statistics which reveal that sadly 2,523 people died from mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer in 2017. The figures reveal that over the past five years the number of deaths has...

Action Mesothelioma Day 2019

Sarah Masters
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Action Mesothelioma Day is taking place on Friday 5th July 2019. Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer caused by breathing in asbestos dust. Asbestos is banned in the UK but you can still find it in schools, homes and offices. The UK has the worst...

Mesothelioma claims where no insurance can be traced

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Individuals diagnosed with the asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma , could be entitled to compensation if they believe they were exposed to asbestos in the workplace. In a standard civil damages claim, details are initially submitted to the insurer...

Personalised mesothelioma treatment trial opens in the UK

Sarah Masters
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The Mesothelioma Stratified Therapy (MiST) trial, which is taking place in Leicester, is a world’s first trial into developing personalised treatment for those with mesothelioma. The trial opened on 29th January 2019. What is mesothelioma? ...

Tinnitus awareness week - 4th-10th February 2019

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In the UK alone, there are approximately 11 million people with hearing loss, which is around one in six of us. This year, the British Tinnitus Association (BTA) are focusing on tinnitus, isolation and loneliness, and they are trying hard to reach out to...

February is Raynaud's awareness month

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This is an annual event co-ordinated by Scleroderma and Raynaud’s UK (SRUK) - the only charity in the country dedicated to helping people with these conditions. The charity has invested more than £10 million pounds to date to help fund...

Mesothelioma - symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

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Mesothelioma is a type of cancer which mainly affects the lining of the lungs. Nearly all cases of mesothelioma are caused by exposure to asbestos fibres which can easily get stuck in and damage the lungs, and whilst this may not cause any problems...

What does the recent research into occupational lung disease show?

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The HSE’s Occupational Lung Disease in Great Britain 2017 report says mesothelioma as well as a range of other respiratory cancers as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, occupational asthma, pneumoconiosis and other non-cancerous...

Breathe Easy Week 2018 - 18th June - 24th June

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This year’s event takes place from 18 th – 24 th June 2018. National charity, the British Lung Foundation (BLF), has more than 230 support groups and many are holding events to help raise awareness of the issues surrounding lung health. ...

Deaf Awareness Week 2018 - 14th-20th May

Sarah Masters
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Stephensons is supporting the national Deaf Awareness Week 2018 and helping to educate people about the life changing condition. The aim of this week is to raise awareness for not only those affected by hearing loss, but what the symptoms and warning...

When should an accident or disease be reported to the Health and Safety Executive?

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When reviewing defendant employer documents for our personal injury clients, we sometimes find that the incident or disease being complained of wasn’t reported to the Health & Safety Executive. The relevant legislation is the Reporting of...

Landmark decision allows claimants to seek compensation for 'symptomless' injuries

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The Supreme Court yesterday [21 st March 2018] handed down its unanimous decision in favour of the claimants in the case of Dryden & Others v Johnson Matthey Plc . The appeal was brought by Waynsworth Dryden, Tony Cipullo and Simon York, three...

Rise in fires caused by household appliances

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In the early hours of Tuesday 13 th February 2018, a fire started in the oven at a house in Ashton-in-Makerfield, which is reported to have started either due to a fault or to having been left turned on during the night. Residents of the house...

Tinnitus awareness week

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Tinnitus Awareness Week is taking place from 5 th – 11 th February 2018. The aim of the week is to raise much-needed awareness of the condition, which affects approximately one in ten of the population. What is tinnitus? Tinnitus is...

Notice of important claims deadline for former British Steel coke oven workers

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Stephensons has been made aware of a deadline for all potential claimants to join an ongoing group action for industrial disease claims. The action is brought on behalf of hundreds of ex-British Steel employees suffering from illnesses such as chronic...

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month

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The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation’s nationwide event ‘Lung Cancer Awareness Month’ takes place this month and staff at Stephensons are doing their bit to raise funds for the charity. We will be taking part in bake sales,...

Action Mesothelioma Day 2017

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Asbestos support groups up and down the country are taking part in this year’s Action Mesothelioma Day. In Manchester, the event takes place on Friday 7th July and will be marked by the symbolic release of doves, in memory of those who...

Deaf Awareness Week - 15th to 21st May 2017

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This year’s Deaf Awareness Week is taking place from 15-21 May 2017. It is promoted by the UK Council on Deafness, the umbrella body for voluntary organisations working with deaf people in the UK. Deaf Awareness Week is an opportunity to raise...

Global Asbestos Awareness Week - 1st to 7th April 2017

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An American non-profit organisation is preparing for its 13 th annual event, held during the first week of April each year. The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organisation (ADAO) is the largest independent asbestos victims’ organisation in the...

The Road to Wigan Pier

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It is now 80 years since George Orwell’s famous book was published on 8th March 1937. The author’s son, Richard Blair, will visit the town as part of a programme of events to celebrate its links with one of the most important writers of the...

Key report on mesothelioma treatment published

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December 2016 saw the publication of the National Lung Cancer Audit pleural mesothelioma report 2016 . Prepared by the Royal College of Physicians and funded by charity Mesothelioma UK, it suggests that the number of people who survive for more than one...