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Benzene Poisoning Claims

If you are suffering from an illness or disease caused by exposure to benzene, you may be entitled to claim compensation.  Our specialist personal injury solicitors can provide expert claim advice and assistance, so contact us on 0800 032 8511 or by completing a claim enquiry form.

Health Effects of Benzene
Making a Claim for Benzene Poisoning
Compensation
Specialist Claim Advice

Health Effects of Benzene

Historically, benzene has been used in various industries, such as the manufacture of plastics, explosives and rubber.  It has also been used as a solvent.  As we are now more aware of its potential to cause illness however, the use of benzene is tightly controlled.

In high doses, benzene causes noticeable side effects such as dizziness, tiredness, headaches and nausea and, if the exposure is sustained, unconsciousness and even death.  Lower doses over a longer period of time can bring about serious illness.  Conditions such as leukaemia, damage to the nervous system and aplastic anaemia have been attributed to benzene exposure.

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Making a Claim for Benzene Poisoning

If you or a family member are suffering a condition caused by benzene exposure, you may be able to claim damages against the responsible party.  This could have occurred through working conditions, in which case the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 (COSHH) will apply, or under other circumstances.

Anyone who has been exposed to an irritant or hazardous substance and suspects that this may have caused a personal injury or disease, should seek medical advice immediately.  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.

If a family member has died from a disease caused by exposure to benzene, it may still be possible to make a claim posthumously.

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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 wash your car, look after your garden, walk the dog 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 incident, so that these can be reclaimed.  The aim is to put you back in a position financially as if the benzene related illness had never occurred.

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Specialist Claim Advice

             

At The Legal Line, our lawyers specialise in all areas of personal injury, including industrial disease cases and injury caused by exposure to hazardous substances.  They can provide expert claim advice and assistance in reviewing your case and working towards the best possible outcome.

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