Lung Disease Claim Payouts: Compensation For Breathing Disorders Caused By Exposure To Harmful Dusts And Chemicals At Work

In this article we set out the most common types of lung disease claim caused by exposure to harmful dusts and chemicals; you will discover when you can claim compensation from your employer.

We give examples of average compensation payouts for all manner of breathing disorder – from minor respiratory problems to more serious conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, lung cancer, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, fibrosis and pneumoconiosis.

Table Of Payouts For Lung Disease Claims In 2023

Our concise table provides a brief summary of the payout calculations for pain and suffering for different types of lung disease.

Be aware – in addition to compensation for pain and suffering, you can claim compensation for financial loss and expense that you experience as a direct result of lung disease condition.

What is a lung disease claim?

You can make a lung disease claim when someone or some business is considered legally at fault for developing your lung disease.

Most types of lung disease claim arise from exposure to harmful dusts and chemicals in the workplace – such claims are known as occupational or industrial disease claims.

If your current or former employer is considered “legally at fault” or “legally responsible” for your exposure to harmful dusts or chemicals – you will be entitled to claim compensation for your pain and suffering and financial losses as a result of your condition. This is known as a lung disease claim.

Watch out – lung disease claims are extremely complex, so you should always consult with a specialist industrial disease solicitor who will be able to advise whether you have a claim and will ensure you receive the full compensation you are entitled to.

What are the most common types of breathing disorder which can give rise to a lung disease claim?

There are many different types of breathing disorder which can affect your lungs and give rise to a lung disease claim – most of which come from inhaling harmful dusts or chemicals in a confined space.

Some of the most common lung diseases include:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder / COPD

“Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder” is also known as COPD and was once known as “chronic obstructive lung disease” or COLD. This lung disease affects the airflow through your bronchial passages.

Your windpipe (trachea) splits into two main air passages, known as bronchi. The left bronchi allows air to flow to your left lung and the right bronchial passage allows air to flow to your right lung.

The word “chronic” is used to describe a condition which is long lasting, repeatedly recurring or permanent.

The word “pulmonary” is a medical term used to refer for the lungs.

COPD describes the presence of one or both of the lung diseases known as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Emphysema

“Emphysema” is a breathing disorder in which the lung tissue deteriorates affecting the shape and function of your lungs – typically leading to shortness of breath.

It can be caused from exposure to harmful chemicals and dusts in the workplace, such as workers breathing in coal dust over many years in mines without proper ventilation.

Chronic Bronchitis

“Chronic bronchitis” is a lung disease with long lasting inflammation of the bronchial passageways, which leads to coughing (the coughing brings up mucus), wheezing and shortness of breath.

Scarring Of The Lungs / Fibrosis Conditions / Pneumoconiosis

“Pneumoconiosis” is a condition which results in scarring of the lungs (fibrosis). It tends to be an occupational or industrial disease caused from workers breathing in dust from minerals (such as coal or silica) or metals (such as beryllium or iron) over extended periods of time.

The word Pneumoconiosis is derived from “pneumo” relating to the lung and “konis” relating to dust.

The name of the type of pneumoconiosis lung disease claim depends on the type of dust which is inhaled, for example: asbestosis (asbestos dust), silicosis (silica dust), berylliosis (beryllium dust), coal miner’s pneumoconiosis / black lung disease (coal dust), siderosis (iron dust) anthracosis (carbon dust).

All forms of pneumoconiosis can either be asymptomatic (show no symptoms) or in worse cases can cause shortness of breath and coughing.

Lung Cancer

“Lung cancer” describes a condition in which cells in the lung do not multiply correctly – instead they grow without division leading to growths or tumors. .

Cancer is often named depending on which type of cell is turned into a tumor. A common type of lung cancer is a carcinoma, which is caused when the cells of the tissue surrounding an organ (in this case your lung), known as epithelial cells, turn into a cancerous tumor.

Examples Of Compensation Amounts Calculations

Examples of how much compensation you can expect for a lung disease claim settlement for pain and suffering in 2023 are described below.

Watch out – in addition to compensation for pain and suffering you can claim compensation for financial loss an expense as a direct result of your injuries.

Temporary bronchitis average claim payouts

If you suffer from bronchitis, but the symptoms are temporary or you have aggravated temporarily an existing bronchitis condition you could expect your settlement for a lung disease claim of between £2,200 – £5,300.

Minor bronchitis compensation calculator

Permanent, but minor symptoms of bronchitis, which do not affect your life significantly, such that your ability to work and socialize are largely unaffected – you can expect compensation amounts calculated between: £21,000 – £31,000.

Shortness of breath average compensation payouts

If you suffer from regular shortness of breath affecting your work and social life, but falling short of a full blown lung disease. Your lung disease claim settlement is likely to be calculated between £31,000 – £55,000.

Emphysema, COPD, Chronic Bronchitis

Depending upon the severity of a recognised lung disease, such as emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, chronic bronchitis. Factors will include the level of reduction in your lung function, your age, life expectancy and persistent coughing. Average claim payouts will be calculated between: £55,000 – £77,000.

Lung cancer payouts

Lung cancer may cause you to have a restricted ability to breath and a lot of pain. It may become progressively worse and affect your ability to partake in physical activity. Lung cancer claims will usually attract attract average compensation payouts for pain and suffering of between £70,000 – £97,000.

Premature death

If you are a younger person and experience lung disease that is progressive – limiting your life expectancy and leading to premature death. You can expect to recover average compensation for your lung disease claim of between £101,000 – £136,000.

Pneumoconiosis compensation

We have written a more detailed pneumoconiosis compensation article setting out how pneumoconiosis is caused together with full details of the calculations of the amounts of compensation you can expect to recover. In summary – pneumoconiosis / fibrosis claim payouts will be calculated between £15,000 – £136,000.

Summary

In this article – we have set out the amounts of compensation you can claim for the most common type of work-related lung disease.

Our Specialist Solicitor Free Help

We recommend you speak to a solicitor to help decide whether you have a claim and how best to proceed with a claim.

Take advantage of our specialist solicitor free online and telephone help. You can discuss your lung disease condition with a solicitor in person, ask your own online question or have your potential claim assessed.

Remember – we may still be able to help wit ha claim – should a loved one pass away from a lung disorder.