Home > Accident Types > Pollutants and Hazardous Substances > PVC Exposure Compensation

 

PVC Exposure Compensation – Vinyl Chloride Monomer

If you are suffering from an illness or disease caused by VCM, 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 compensation claim enquiry form.

PVC - Vinyl Chloride Monomer

Illnesses Related to VCM
Can I Claim for a VCM Related Illness?
PVC Exposure Compensation
Specialist Industrial Illness Claim Advice

PVC - Vinyl Chloride Monomer

Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is a manufactured substance used in the production of PVC and is toxic to humans.  Vinyl chloride is a colourless gas at room temperature with a sweet smell.

Prior to the 1960s, vinyl chloride monomer was thought to be safe, however it is now known to pose serious health risks.  Therefore, exposure to VCM has been tightly controlled since 1974.

[Back to Top]

Illnesses Related to VCM

Inhaling high levels of vinyl chloride over a short period can also cause symptoms such as dizziness, tiredness and loss of consciousness.  At especially high levels this can even cause death.

VCM is also now considered to cause liver cancer, in particular angiosarcoma.  Unfortunately, as there is usually a long period of time between exposure and the onset of the disease, cases may still now occur in workers exposed some years ago.

Other problems that can be caused by exposure to vinyl chloride monomer include: scleroderma (a condition affecting the skin and connective tissues), Raynaud's phenomenon (a condition of the blood vessels, affecting circulation to the hands) and acroosteolysis (bone loss at the tips of the fingers).

Exposure to VCM can also cause respiratory conditions such as occupational asthma if correct protection and ventilation is not used when plastic packaging is heated.  Any potential risk of exposure in the workplace should be risk assessed and then eliminated or reduced as far as possible at source. Providing personal protective equipment should be regarded by the employer as the last resort where exposure at source cannot be prevented.

[Back to Top]

Can I Claim for a VCM Related Illness?

If you believe that you are suffering an illness or injury as a result of exposure to VCM, the first and most important step is to seek medical attention.  In every case, medical evidence will be required.  Detailed expert evidence is often also required in industrial 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 VCM, it may still be possible to make a claim posthumously.

[Back to Top]

PVC Exposure 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 household tasks, play sports, 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 your illness, so that these can be reclaimed.  The aim is to put you back in a position financially as if the exposure to VCM had never occurred.

[Back to Top]

Specialist Industrial Illness Claim Advice

             

At The Legal Line, our lawyers specialise in all areas of personal injury, including industrial disease claims and claims for illnesses caused by exposure to hazardous substances.

They can provide expert advice and assistance in reviewing your case and working towards the best possible outcome.

[Back to Top]