Posts Tagged ‘cancer’

Overview Of Industrial Injury

March 19th, 2010

The term industrial illness refers to illnesses suffered by individuals as a direct result of their working environment, unlike injuries illnesses are less obvious and can develop over a sustained period of time.

If you suspect or have reason to believe that you are suffering from an industrial illness, this brief overview of common industrial related illnesses may prove beneficial. If you do suspect that you are suffering from an illness work related or not it is highly recommended that you visit a doctor.

Asbestos This disease results from inhaling asbestos fibers which aggravate the lungs resulting in scarring of the lungs. The illness can also further develop into Fibrosis. Exposure to Asbestos can also trigger other serious conditions such as Mesothelioma, lung disease and pleural thickening.

The disease can also affect people whose friends or family have come into contact Asbestos. The fibers can be carried and then inhaled from workers clothes or hair.

You have the right to make a legal claim against Asbestos exposure if you were in contact between 1950-1985

Mesothelioma, A result of exposure to Asbestos fibers and dust, Mesothelioma is a type of cancer. It generally takes 20 – 50 years to develop and affects the Mesothelioma cells that cover internal body organs.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) A person suffering from RSI usually suffers from pain in their muscles, nerves and tendons. The condition normally effects the upper parts of the body; the forearm, wrists, elbows,neck, hands and shoulders and is caused from repeatedly undertaking a particular task over a long period of time.

Vibration White Finger This illness is caused from prolonged exposure to cold weather, and from working with vibrating machinery; symptoms generally include tingling and numbness in fingers, and toes, or sometimes in the nose and ears. In a severe case, the fingers will start to turn white and numb, in extreme cases the sufferer can loose their fingers.

Tinnitus People who suffer from Tinnitus experience ringing, buzzing, humming or whistling noises in the ears and/or head with no external source, varying in pitch. The cause is exposure to loud noise. Generally suffered by factory workers working with loud machinery.

If you believe that you are suffering from an illness as a result of your working environment it is standard practice to claim for compensation with a Personal Injury Lawyer. Companies are covered by insurance, for issues that arise like work illness, don’t be afraid to speak out, by doing so you will help to prevent more cases and help to improve working environments.

Need more information on mesothelioma compensation, or would like to find out if you have a case for an industrial deafness claim or other industrial injury, then Oliver & Co’s specialist site’s offer more information.

What Exactly IS Asbestos?

March 4th, 2010

Six silicon based naturally occurring minerals made up of microscopic, fibrous crystals are known as Asbestos. The material has been historically used for its mixture of prized qualities. Asbestos is resistant to heat and chemicals and have vast tensile strength and flexibility. Hazardous by nature, inhalation of the material can cause severe health issues such as lung cancer, Asbestosis and Mesothelioma.

The use of asbestos was first documented by the ancient Greeks; they acknowledged the valuable properties of the substance whilst also being moderately conscious of the hazards. The Greek geographer Strabo noted the remarkable chronic lung damage of slaves who worked with the material, mining it and weaving it into cloth.

Wealthy Persians, Greeks and Romans used asbestos for tablecloths and garments; they would often exhibit to guests how the material could be cleaned in fire. This became a trendy status symbol as a number of cultures believed the material was made of the coat of a fire dwelling animal known as a ‘Samandar’.

By the 19th century Asbestos had become commercially exploited as it provided many properties unobtainable from other materials. It was used in fireproofing, bricks, pipe insulation and roofing to name a few and its uses were not limited to buildings. Ships were commonly fitted with the material as insulation and fireproofing, particularly during WWII.

Researchers noticed elevated death rates and lung diseases In the early 1900s, particularly in asbestos mining areas and by the 1930s scientists had formally identified sufferers of ‘asbestosis’ and ‘Mesothelioma’ and directly linked them to asbestos exposure.

By the year 2000 all production and use of all kinds of asbestos was banned and by November 2006 the UK government had introduced a strict regulations aimed at minimising contact with the material. The legislations ban the use of the material but also provide strict guidelines on how to manage existing asbestos.

Do you think you may have been exposed to asbestos? You may be entitled to compensation, visit EAD Solicitor’s site for advice on personal injury claims.