We understand just how important those needs are. From day one we work closely with you and, of course, your family, to provide care, attention and a commitment to proactively work on your behalf to claim your legal right to full compensation.

Award Claims is a division of JST Lawyers, a law firm with a national reputation for specialising in personal injury claims. You can have confidence that from your very first contact we will deal with your claim sympathetically and efficiently.

For a free initial assessment please contact Award Claims

T: Office Hours (9am to 5 pm Monday to Friday) 0151 282 2893

T: Out of Hours Freephone 0800 953 2211

Email: info@jstlaw.co.uk

Asbestos related disease
Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fibre that has been mined and used for about the last 100 years. Use or exposure to asbestos can cause health problems, and sometimes these problems can take years to develop. It's not only the asbestos workers who suffer, but also the people who come into close contact with workers (eg. Family or friends who may inhale the fibres from clothing by the asbestos worker, or those living near to a buildings or factories which have used asbestos as a building material).

If you have been exposed to asbestos and believe that you have a related illness you could bring a claim for compensation against your employer. Our solicitors at Award Claims provide care, attention and an understanding, with a commitment to proactively work on your behalf to claim your legal right to full compensation.

Asbestos related illness includes:-

• Asbestosis

• Mesothelioma

• Asbestos-related lung cancer

• Diffuse pleural thickening

• Pleural plaques

Vibration white finger
This is a condition relating to the fingers, thumbs or hands, wrists or arms, which is caused or contributed to by exposure to vibration, eg. Vibratory tools such as Pneumatic drills, chain saws, whacker plates, bomaig rollers, etc. Vibration White Finger can result in reduced dexterity and ability to carry out common functions using these areas of the body. A restriction in the blood supply to the extremities of the body, eg. Fingers, toes, etc will initially turn the affected parts white and "dead-looking". The symptoms are also inflammation, pain, numbness or tingling. Vibration White Finger is often a progressive disease, with attacks causing discomfort and pain.

Raynaud's Phenomenon may be of constitutional origin and occurs amongst the population at large but is now accepted that the condition can also be caused by the use of some high frequency tools and/or working conditions that expose the hands to vibration.

Symptoms include:

• Tingling and numbness in the fingers which often continues after the machinery has been switched off;

• One fingertip temporarily turns white and may start to ache;

• The finger turns white with increasing frequency;

• Other fingers begin turning white, but the thumb is not usually affected. After several fingers turn white, the disease is probably irreversible;

• The person suffers increasingly frequent painful attacks at any time.

Occupational asthma
According to the UK's Health and Safety Executive (HSE) there are an estimated 1,500 to 3,000 new cases of occupational asthma each year. This rises to 7,000 cases a year if you include asthma made worse by work (work-related asthma) . Asthma results in breathing difficulties, chest tightness, wheezing, cough and shortness of breath. It is a frequently serious and sometimes fatal condition. A number of substances are associated with causing occupational asthma. For example workers exposed to dust or emissions from:-

• Grain

• Wood

• Flour

• Latex

• Animals

• Glues and resins

• Isocyanates

Industrial deafness
A Medical Research Council survey in 1997-98 gave a prevalence estimate of 509 000 people in Great Britain suffering from hearing difficulties as a result of exposure to noise at work. Industrial deafness (noise-induced hearing loss) results from high noise levels present at noisy processes, for example those working in the following industries:-

• Metal work

• Drilling

• Quarrying

• Bottling halls

• Stone cutting

• Textiles

• Printing

• Transportation

• Agriculture

Noise is measured in decibels (dB) and it is usual that exposure to noise above 90 dB could cause damage to your ears. Exposure does not necessarily need to be over long periods, and it has been found that a very high noise level over short periods or even intermittently, can cause damage.

Chemical escapes or exposure
The average number of reportable injuries under RIDDOR over the four years to March 2001 resulting from exposure accidents was 1620 per year. Of these, 76% were to male workers. Injuries can be burns, scalds, gassings, and acute poisoning which are caused by exposure or escape. If you have suffered due to this type of injury during the course of your employment then we can help you.