Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory lung disease caused as a direct result of employer negligence affects thousands of people in the UK every year. The consequences of these occupational illnesses are not limited to serious health problems including fatalities and early death but they can also have devastating effects on employment, family relationships and social life.

Our specialist personal injury solicitors have detailed experience in dealing with respiratory lung disease compensation claims including COPD and are all members of the Law Society panel of personal injury experts.

Respiratory diseases that may result from an unhealthy working environment which can give rise to respiratory lung disease compensation claims including COPD compensation claims includes:

• Occupational asthma
• Asbestos related disease
• Occupational bronchitis
• Emphysema
• Pneumoconiosis
• Silicosis

Jobs associated with an increased risk of occupational respiratory disease include: construction, carpentry, baking, soldering, laboratory work, hairdressing, bird breeding, milling, drug manufacture, nursing, food processing, textiles, forestry, horticulture and metalworking.

Occupations especially at risk include:

• Coalminers
• Farmers
• Asbestos workers
• Workers with epoxy resins
• Isocyanates workers

Injury to the lungs occurring at work may be caused by inhalation of gases, fumes, vapour, dust or micro-organisms. The site and degree of the lung reaction is determined by a number of factors:

• the physical and chemical properties of the substance inhaled
• the intensity and duration of exposure
• the presence of pre-existing lung disease
• individual differences in susceptibility

The occupational diseases of the respiratory system are usually divided into three categories:

• due to inorganic or mineral dusts
• due to organic dusts
• due to irritant gases and chemicals

Many types of fumes and dusts can irritate the lungs stimulating increased mucus production and leading to cough and phlegm. People who already have a lung problem, such as asthma or bronchitis, are more susceptible to the effects of irritants.

Some conditions result from an abnormally sensitive reaction of the body to dust and fumes. Once sensitisation has developed, even minute quantities of the substance, which would not cause harm to a nonsensitised individual, can present a serious hazard.

An employer is under a duty to reduce the risk of respiratory lung disease including COPD and regulations are contained in "The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1994" and other statutes. These Regulations require the employer to:

• carry out an assessment of substances hazardous to health which should include:


• an identification of the hazards and assessment of the risk to health
• consideration of prevention of exposure to the hazardous substances
• the steps which need to be taken to achieve adequate control of exposure where prevention is not reasonably practicable


• identification of other action necessary to comply with the regulations operate a system of health surveillance
• keep employees fully informed about risks and review procedures
• control exposure and use controlling methods
• install extractor fans
• provide safety equipment

If you suffer from COPD as a result of your employers failure to protect your health and safety we can help you to get the compensation you deserve.

If you would like free advice, just use the helpline or complete the claim form.

Our staff are professional, sympathetic to your needs and have excellent knowledge on respiratory diseases within the claims sector.

Call us now on 0800 118 58855