Industrial Diseases
Digby Brown has many years of experience in working for victims of industrial diseases,
largely through our long-standing association with the trade union movement. The firm prides
itself on being expert in this field, particularly in asbestos-related conditions.
Throughout the 20th century thousands of Scots working in heavy industry and construction
were exposed to asbestos.The effects of that exposure take many years to develop and only now are
we seeing the results of exposure which happened upwards of forty years ago. It is estimated that
the incidence of asbestos-related disease will not peak in Scotland until about 2015. Digby
Brown understands that when someone is told that they have an asbestos-related
disease, it can be an anxious and traumatic time for them and their family. Our
experience of asbestos-related litigation allows us to guide victims and their relatives
through the compensation process.
In Scots law it is the general rule that a personal injury claim must be either settled or
raised in court within three years of the date of the injury, otherwise the claim is likely to be
extinguished.
Where we are dealing with an industrial disease and the injury occurred not on a particular
day but, often, over a period of years, matters are more complicated. The position adopted by the
Scottish courts is that the three year period will start to run from the date when a claimant
should have been aware that their symptoms were related to their employment. The three
year period may well start to run prior to any medical diagnosis by a doctor. For this reason, if
you believe that you have a condition which could have been caused by your working conditions, it
is important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible.
Digby Brown handles a wide range of industrial disease cases from asbestos-related
disease to occupational asthma, dermatitis and vibration white finger. Our experience allow us to
assess your case and advise you on the best way forward.
Industrial diseases can take years to manifest themselves therefore cases can be difficult to
prove but in simple terms, if you have developed an illness because of work you may have a
claim.
For further information call us on
0845 273 2323 or fill in our brief
enquiry form and someone
will contact you.
