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Chemical Poisoning

If Chemical Poisoning has caused you to suffer a disease or personal injury, The Legal Line specialist personal injury solicitors may be able to assist you in claiming compensation.  You can contact us on 0800 032 8511 or by completing a claim enquiry form.

Causes of Chemical Poisoning
Making a Personal Injury Claim
Chemical Poisoning Compensation
Successful Compensation Claims for Chemical Poisoning
Chemical Poisoning Claim Advice

Causes of Chemical Poisoning

Chemical poisoning can unfortunately be caused in a number of ways, be it whilst at work or due to substances present in the environment. Other possible causes could be industrial waste pumped into the air or sea or leaks of radioactive or chemical waste.  This can cause a variety of illnesses and injuries, so those organisations or individuals handling hazardous chemicals have a responsibility to do so in accordance with current regulations, in order to protect the public and their employees.

In cases where your injury was caused by an exposure or accident at work, certain regulations may apply, such as the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988.

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Making a Personal Injury Claim

If you are unlucky enough to suffer an industrial illness or personal injury caused by chemical poisoning; it is possible that you may be entitled to make an injury compensation claim.

In order to establish whether a personal injury claim can be made, it is necessary to collect as much information as possible.  In every case, medical evidence will be required.  Detailed expert evidence is often also required in disease cases to show that the condition suffered by a claimant was caused by exposure to a particular substance.

In any personal injury claim it is necessary to show that the person you are making a claim against owed you a duty of care, that they breached that duty of care (were negligent), and that the injury you sustained was a reasonably foreseeable consequence of that negligence.

Therefore, if you believe that you may be entitled to make a compensation claim, it is important that you seek medical advice, making sure that your doctor/s are made aware of the circumstances, and keeping a record of your symptoms and any treatments.  You should also retain any evidence to support the exposure, together with details and receipts of any personal expenses that have arisen as the result of your injury or illness as well, as it may be possible to reclaim these at a later date.

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Chemical Poisoning Compensation

There are two elements to a compensation award.  The first is for the pain and suffering you may have gone through and what is known as loss of amenity.  This is called general damages and can include an award for your inability to do things that you used to be able to do before (eg housework, leisure activities, driving etc).  The award for loss of amenity can be for a short period or for ever if that is what the medical evidence supports.

The second element of a compensation award is for your losses and expenses and is known as special damages.  It is important to keep receipts for any expenditure you have related to the injury or illness you suffered, so that these can be reclaimed.  The aim is to put you back in a position financially as if the chemical poisoning had never occurred.

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Successful Compensation Claims for Chemical Poisoning

Our expert lawyers have handled many claims for people affected by chemical poisoning. Details of some of these cases can be found below, or in our news and success stories sections:

• Our client was employed as a Hygiene Operative in a factory and used a lot of water to clean the factory floor. Chlorine Dioxide was added to the water without the employees’ knowledge and, almost immediately afterwards, the client and several others began to suffer health problems. This included headaches, nausea, sinus and respiratory problems and sore throats.

  Their symptoms continued over a period of time and repeated enquiries and complaints were made to the Health and Safety Manager. They were told that the symptoms would pass and reduced the dosage of Chlorine Dioxide in the water, but it was still above the recommended level. The ventilation in the factory was also poor and the claimant and his colleagues had not been given any protective wear or information on handling the chemical and its dangers, so he continued to feel unwell.

  The HSE eventually carried out an investigation into the complaints made and the level of Chlorine Dioxide in the water was subsequently reduced. The claimant appointed our specialist lawyers to assist him in making a chemical poisoning claim, and the employers admitted a breach of duty. They recovered £3,000 compensation on his behalf in respect of the illness he suffered.

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Chemical Poisoning Claim Advice

At The Legal Line, our specialist personal injury lawyers are experienced in all areas of personal injury and industrial disease, so can provide you with expert claim advice, assistance and guidance on your potential case.  This service is offered on a completely cost free, risk free basis to all of our customers, as our solicitors are able to reclaim their costs from the insurance company of the responsible party, following the claim.

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