Asthma Compensation Claim Payouts 2026: Claims Guide For Work-Related Exposure To Airborne Irritants
Discover how much compensation you can claim for asthma of all types of severity. We consider payouts ranging from mild asthma symptoms lasting a few months to disabling asthma.
Learn how asthma can not only be caused by allergic reaction to dust, but also chemicals at work.
Discover both how long the law allows you to start an asthma compensation claim and how to go about claiming compensation.
Finally – we explain when you can claim compensation from your employer for work-related exposure.
- Asthma Compensation Claim Payouts 2026: Claims Guide For Work-Related Exposure To Airborne Irritants
Payouts Table 2026 For Asthma Compensation Claims
Our claim payouts table below provides a quick reference guide sets out different severities of asthma coupled with the compensation amounts you can recover for pain and suffering.
However, we recommend you read on to discover how these payout figures are calculated.
| Asthma Severity | Claim Payout |
|---|---|
| Mild Asthma Symptoms resolved in a few months | Up to £6,300 |
| Less Mild Asthma Longer lasting symptoms Harmful vapour exposure | £13,000 – £23,500 |
| Moderate Asthma Wheezing Affecting work & social life | £23,500 – £32,000 |
| Chronic Asthma Breathing difficulties Inhaler use Employment affected | £32,000 – £52,500 |
| Severe Disabling Asthma Permanent symptoms Sleep disturbance Prolonged coughing fits | £52,500 – £85,000 |
What is a work-related asthma claim?
Asthma is a type of chronic respiratory condition affecting the airways.
Allergic reaction
Generally, it is brought on by an allergic reaction to certain chemicals, cold air and sometimes even exercise.
Chronic condition
Asthma is a chronic condition. In other words – the condition is long lasting.
Unfortunately – most asthma suffers have the condition for the rest of their life.
Symptoms of an asthmatic reaction
When the allergic reaction occurs – your airways narrow restricting access of air to your lungs. This will generally result in symptoms of – wheezing, coughing and dizziness.
An asthmatic attack can prove fatal.
Employer’s duty to protect you from airborne chemical exposure
Asthma can occur naturally or can be induced by exposure to not only airborne chemicals, but also vapours and dusts.
Chemicals may be introduced in the workplace (or other off-site work environment). However, your employer is under a duty to take proper safeguards to protect workers’ safety, including your respiratory system.
For example – safeguards may include:
- Limiting your exposure to chemicals, and
- Providing correct breathing protection apparatus.
Legal fault of employer
Should you be exposed to airborne chemicals at work without proper protection – your employer can be held “legally at fault” or “legally responsible” for your injuries.
Making an asthma compensation claim
Therefore, you will likely be able to make an “asthma compensation claim”.
Pain and suffering plus financial loss
Your claim will include money for both your pain and suffering and for financial costs and expenses.
Lost income
Generally, the biggest financial loss is lost income.
Lost income may include both your time off work prior to your asthma claim settling – known as past lost income. Together with future medically predicated time off work – known as future lost income.
You may be able to claim an additional sum of compensation should you be forced to retrain and change your career.
Other types of respiratory condition claims
For other examples of respiratory industrial disease caused from exposure in the workplace – see our industrial disease claim article.
How long do you have to claim compensation for work-related asthma?
Generally speaking you have three years from the date of an injury to start your claim for compensation at court. However, the three-year period only starts to run from the date of injury or date of knowledge of injury.
Display Symptoms Or Date Of Diagnosis
You will typically have three years from when you started to display symptoms of asthma or in some cases: three years from the date you were medically diagnosed with asthma.
Which date is most appropriate will generally depend on your individual circumstances.
Speak to a solicitor to assess
If you think you might have an occupational asthma compensation claim you should contact a specialist solicitor immediately to advise if you are in time to make a claim.
Compensation calculations for payout amounts for mild to severe asthma
Our calculation examples relate to the pain and suffering element only of your asthma compensation for a claim.
Asthma Verified By A Medical Expert
Your asthma condition must be verified by an independent medical expert instructed by your solicitor as part of your claim..
Mild asthma average payouts
Your asthma may be considered mild when you have mild symptoms that last a few months. For example – mild asthma may include bronchitis (chest cold with coughing).
The resultant compensation payout for short-lived mild asthma will generally be calculated up to £6,300.
Mild asthma with longer lasting symptoms
Some types of mild asthma symptoms (from either chemical or other irritating vapour exposure), may persist after your exposure to chemicals has ceased. In this instance – you could generally expect your asthma compensation claim to be calculated between £13,000 – £23,500.
Asthma affecting working & social life
Your asthma may cause strong symptoms of bronchitis and wheezing. You may be affected in both how you can go about your work and social life. Stronger symptoms may last for a number of years following initial chemical exposure. This level asthma – will likely result in an asthma compensation payout of between £23,500 – £32,000.
Chronic work-related asthma payouts
Chronic asthma with – persistent breathing difficulties, the need for periodic use of an inhaler, limiting your employment prospects, your ability to exercise and your social life.
In addition, you may have an uncertain medical diagnosis as to what the future holds for your condition.
This level of chronic asthma will generally result in an average claim payout calculated between £32,000 – £52,500.
Severe & permanent disabling asthma settlement amounts
The more severe types of asthma result in significant prolonged symptoms of coughing, sleep disturbance, significant restriction on not only your ability to work, but also partake in physical activity. In essence it will affect your ability to enjoy your life.
Severe asthma compensation payouts of this nature will generally result in an asthma compensation payout between £52,500 – £80,500.
Summary
In conclusion – you have learnt both what asthma is and how it can be caused at work together coupled with calculations and examples of payout amounts you can expect for mild to severe asthma .
FREE legal help
We offer both free telephone and online solicitor help options. You can not only have your potential asthma compensation claim assessed, but also ask a question or simply discuss your asthma exposure to decide whetehr you wish to make a claim.
