Hazardous chemicals pose many dangers to workers, especially when employers fail to take reasonable steps to create a safe and protective workplace. Such failures can cause serious accidents and injuries, which may give rise to hazardous chemicals at work claims. Here at Accident Claims, our specialist solicitors have helped clients nationwide to navigate the accident at work claims process, and they could help you next. Keep reading to learn more.
Essential Information
- Numerous industries use hazardous chemicals on a daily basis, including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and construction.
- Hazardous chemicals can cause burns, organ damage, and permanent blindness.
- Harmful chemicals include hydrochloric acid, ammonia, bromine, and chlorine.
- Compensation in succesful hazardous chemicals at work claims considers the physical, psychological, and financial impact of injuries.
Contact Us
Our solicitors believe every case matters and are committed to providing all their clients with personalised support throughout. Get in touch with one of our friendly advisors to find out more:
- Call on 0800 073 8801
- Use our online contact form
- Messaging live chat
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I Make A Hazardous Chemicals At Work Claim?
- What Is The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)?
- What Workplace Hazardous Chemical Accidents Can Compensation Be Claimed For?
- The Common Injuries Resulting From Hazardous Chemicals At Work
- How Much Compensation Could Be Awarded For Hazardous Chemicals At Work Claims?
- What Do I Need When Bringing A Workplace Claim For Hazardous Chemical Injuries?
- How Accident Claims’ No Win No Fee Solicitors Can Help Me
- More information
Can I Make A Hazardous Chemicals At Work Claim?
You can make a hazardous chemicals at work claim provided that you can establish how a negligent employer caused your harm. That means you must show:
- Your employer owed you a duty of care
- They breached this duty
- Their breach led to you experiencing an injury from hazardous chemicals
Your employer is responsible for your health, well-being, and safety. Referred to as a duty of care, this obligation is mainly established by the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and can be met by:
- Providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Ensuring employees have the correct training for their role
- Following regulations laid out by the Health and Safety Executive (which is the body responsible for governing workplace safety in the UK)
If you’re uncertain about the validity of your claim, get in touch with one of our friendly advisors today. They are here 24/7 and can answer any questions you might have about making a hazardous chemicals at work claim.
What Is The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)?
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) is legislation that requires employers to protect workers by assessing risks associated with hazardous substances. This responsibility extends to how these substances are stored, handled, or disposed of.
Under COSHH, employers must prevent or take all practicable steps to control the exposure of these hazardous chemicals. They can do so through:
- Conducting risk assessments
- Ensure that emergency procedures are in place
- Providing adequate PPE. This requirement is subject to additional legislation: The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
What Workplace Hazardous Chemical Accidents Can Compensation Be Claimed For?
Compensation can be claimed for various workplace hazardous chemical accidents, such as the following scenarios:
- Your employer failed to provide you with safety glasses, but still required you to work with hydrochloric acid. A subsequent machinery malfunction leads to this acid splashing into your eye, leaving you with partial blindness and permanent vision loss.
- While working in a warehouse, your manager fails to train staff on the handling of hazardous chemicals. As a result, you suffer chemical burns when a colleague spills a poorly secured substance onto your skin.
Get in touch today to discuss the circumstances of your own and how our solicitors can help you.
The Common Injuries Resulting From Hazardous Chemicals At Work
Many common injuries result from hazardous chemicals at work, particularly if there is direct exposure to the harmful substances. For instance, you could experience:
- Chemical burns
- Respiratory problems
- Organ damage
- Blindness
Our advisors are here 24/7 to listen and advise, if you’d like to share what happened to you in confidence.
How Much Compensation Could Be Awarded For Hazardous Chemicals At Work Claims?
To determine how much compensation can be awarded in successful hazardous chemicals at work claims, 2 types of damages must be considered: General and special damages.
General damages are compensation for the psychological and physical effects of your injuries, together with any impact on daily life. We discuss special damages in further depth below, but this part of the compensation is essentially awarded when those injuries have a financial impact.
When valuing general damages, professionals will review a client’s medical records and the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This document is beneficial here as it contains injury categories and their suggested compensation brackets.
Our table shows some of these guideline brackets. However, keep in mind that the first entry isn’t from the JCG, and the overall table is not a guarantee of compensation.
| Injury | Notes | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries + Special Damages | Financial impact may include lost earnings. | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Total Blindness | This will result in complete loss of sight | In the Region of £327,940 |
| Loss of Sight in 1 Eye with Reduced Vision in the Remaining Eye (i) | Remaining eye will have a serious risk of deterioration | £117,150 to £219,400 |
| Total Loss of 1 Eye | The amount awarded will depend on psychiatric effect, cosmetic impact, and age | £66,920 to £80,210 |
| Burns Covering 40% or More of the Body | Factors considered include cosmetic effects, need for surgery (and extent), and psychological impact | Likely to Exceed £127,930 |
| Multiple Noticeable Laceration Scars or 1 Disfiguring Scar | Scarring to legs, arms, hands, back or chest fall in this bracket | £9,560 to £27,740 |
| Very Severe Facial Scarring | Cosmetic effect will be very disfiguring, with a severe psychological impact | £36,340 to £118,790 |
| Less Severe Facial Scarring | Substantial disfigurement and a significant psychological reaction | £21,920 to £59,090 |
| Significant Facial Scarring | Includes cases where scarring is visible at a conversational distance | £11,120 to £36,720 |
| Dermatitis (a) | Dermatitis of both hands affecting employment and domestic ability | £16,770 to £23,430 |
Special Damages In Hazardous Chemicals At Work Claims
As touched on above, special damages in hazardous chemical at work claims are paid out in circumstances where injuries cause financial loss. These costs might include:
- Loss of earnings: Can include current and future losses, as well as pension contributions and other workplace benefits
- Home or vehicle adaptations: Such as handrails, accessible appliances, and mobility installations, like stairlifts
- Medical: These expenses can range from prescriptions and physiotherapy to reconstructive surgeries, particularly if there is extensive scarring
- Care: Depending on the nature of the injury, daily activities may only be possible with full-time assistance from a professional carer
These losses must be supported by evidence, such as receipts or payslips for expenses. If you get in touch today, our advisors will be happy to explain how our solicitors can help obtain this documentation.
What Do I Need When Bringing A Workplace Claim For Hazardous Chemical Injuries?
To bring a workplace claim for hazardous chemical injuries, you will need proof that demonstrates how a negligent employer caused this harm. You must also make sure that you start claiming within the correct time limit.
The Time Limit For Bringing A Workplace Claim
Typically, the time limit for bringing a workplace claim is 3 years, as laid down in the Limitation Act 1980. There are some exceptions to this rule, which you can find out about by reading our dedicated guide to time limits.
How Can I Prove Employer Negligence Caused A Hazardous Chemical Injury?
To prove that an employer negligently caused a hazardous chemical injury, you will need evidence that shows how their actions (or inactions) led to the harm. For hazardous chemicals at work claims, this proof can include:
- Your workplace accident report book
- Medical evidence, such as your GP records, to show any prescriptions, treatments or diagnoses
- CCTV footage, if the incident was caught on camera
- Contact details of anyone who could supply your solicitor with eyewitness testimony
Get in touch today to learn more about proving a claim and how one of our specialist solicitors could help you gather whatever evidence is needed for your case.
How Accident Claims’ No Win No Fee Solicitors Can Help Me
Accident Claims’ No Win No Fee solicitors can help you by offering their services via a Conditional Fee Agreement. This is advantageous because it means that you wouldn’t need to make any upfront payments for your solicitor’s work. CFAs also ensure that these solicitor service fees are not charged as the case progresses, nor if the claim fails.
Only if your claim is successful would a small fee be deductible from your compensation. You’ll keep the majority of the compensation, as this success fee is a capped percentage that is limited in accordance with The Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013.
Our solicitors are experts in workplace accidents and have helped clients just like yourself to navigate the process. So, besides the benefits of our No Win No Fee agreement, you can expect:
- Individualised support throughout the claims process
- Access to a tailored rehabilitation plan built on assistance from occupational therapists, psychiatrists, and other specialists
- Help with creating a strong evidence base
- Clear and concise advice that isn’t weighed down by confusing legal jargon
- Tireless advocacy in all points of communication and throughout negotiations
Get In Touch With Our Experts
If you’d like to start your own hazardous chemicals at work claim, you can reach our advisors by:
- Calling us on 0800 073 8801
- Using our online contact form
- Messaging live chat
More Information
For more information, please read some of our other guides:
- What are your legal rights after an accident at work?
- Can you claim if your duties were changed?
- What is the accident at work claim process?
Useful external resources:
- Government guidance on chemical hazards and poisons.
- Information from the NHS on chemical burns.
- Health and Safety Executive overview for handling chemicals.
Thank you for reading our hazardous chemicals at work claims guide.
