Industrial Disease Reporting

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that usually develops in the lining of the lungs (pleural mesothelioma) but can also affect the lining of the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma) and the lining of the heart (pericardial mesothelioma). The main cause of it is the exposure to asbestos dust which gets into the lungs and develops into one of the forms of mesothelioma.

Around 2600 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma in the UK every year.

A Chest Physician will examine the client and prepare a medical report containing a review of the radiology, medical records, OH records, HMRC, any Screening report and cover medical history, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment received and prognosis.  The medical expert will also give an opinion on the level of respiratory disability and any reduction in life expectancy as a result of the diagnosis.

In addition to the medical report produced by a Chest Physician, MLA also offer a Screening Report completed by a Consultant Thoracic Radiologist.  The expert reviews the radiology and medical records and produces a desktop report with a diagnosis. Following a supportive medical report, MLA can also provide a Desktop Treatment Report prepared by an Oncologist which details treatment recommendations, be this immunotherapy or any alternative future treatment and the benefits and costs of this treatment.

Stress at work is most commonly caused by volume of work or the nature of work itself, such as a job in which an individual has to deal constantly with complaints from clients or customers and does not have proper training or counselling available to them.  Stress can also be caused by victimisation or bullying at work, perhaps by a manager or superior who is abusing their authority or by work colleagues who have singled out one particular individual.

If a client can demonstrate the following then they have grounds to make a claim:

• they have suffered from a recognised psychiatric illness such as clinical depression;
• that the psychiatric illness was caused by stress at work;
• that they were negligently exposed to stress at work; and
• that their psychiatric illness is a direct result of their employer’s negligence

A Clinical Psychiatrist will examine the client and prepare a medical report containing a review of the medical records, witness statements, OH and training records, HMRC and cover medical history, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment received and prognosis.  The medical expert will also comment on how the client’s life as well as their ability to continue working has been negatively impacted and whether they incurred loss of earnings and future loss of earnings.

Occupational Dermatitis is the inflammation of the skin due to a person’s contact with certain hazardous substances or due to certain elements of their working environment.

A Consultant Dermatologist will examine any current skin conditions and your client’s medical history to diagnose whether that skin condition has been caused or worsened as a result of exposure to hazardous substances at work.

A cumulative back injury happens gradually, either over a period of time or during the course of a repetitive activity. The most common causes of back pain at work include:

• Regular lifting and bending
• Frequent carrying of heavy objects
• Prolonged physical activities
• Bad posture

An Orthopaedic Consultant specialising in upper and lower back injuries will examine your client and consider whether frequent heavy lifting, prolonged sitting or bad posture at work has resulted in or accelerated a back injury.

Also known as Vibration White Finger or dead finger, HAVS is a widespread recognised Industrial Disease affecting tens of thousands of workers. It is a disorder that affects the blood vessels, nerves, muscles, and joints, of the hand, wrist, and arm.

A Vascular Surgeon will examine your client to determine their exposure to hand-held power tools and the permanent effects of this on the hands and/or arms. Prognosis will be given in line with the Stockholm criteria and will state whether the client has suffered blanching, numbness and/or tingling of the finger tips.

Occupational asthma is asthma that's caused by breathing in chemical fumes, gases, dust or other substances on the job. Occupational asthma can result from exposure to a substance someone is sensitive to, causing an allergic or immunological response, or to an irritating toxic substance.

A Respiratory Physician will examine your client and consider the results of lung function tests and medical history to determine whether the asthma was caused, exacerbated or accelerated as a result of workplace exposure.

Asbestosis is a very specific condition that refers to fibrosis of the lungs caused from breathing in asbestos fibres. It is usually found in individuals who have had significant exposure to asbestos, over several years. The effects normally appear 20 years or more after exposure. It can cause breathlessness and may become more severe over time.

A Respiratory Physician will examine your client and assess chest x-rays, scans and medical records to diagnose whether the client has contracted Asbestosis as the result of hazardous exposure to Asbestos during employment, and what effect this will have on life expectancy.

Upper limb disorders affect the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves or other soft tissues in the upper limbs. They include repetitive strain injury (RSI), cumulative trauma disorder and occupational overuse syndrome.

An Orthopaedic Consultant, specialising in upper limb injuries, will examine your client and provide advice on whether prolonged repetitive movements undertaken during the course of employment have caused or worsened an upper limb disorder.