Over the years an increasing awareness has developed in respect of the potential for some of the substances and processes used in industry to expose employees to the risk of disease. Such diseases result in many thousands of compensation claims each year, the most common sources being :-

• Respiratory Diseases
• Industrial Deafness
• Vibration White Finger
• Repetitive Strain Injury
• Skin Diseases
• Asbestosis Related Diseases

Employers have a duty to protect their employees from such diseases both at Common Law and under statute eg. the " Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations". A claim for compensation may result from negligence or breach of statutory duty.

Some Industrial diseases develop over many years and affected employees may have to bring claims against all the employers for whom they have worked during the period over which the disease has developed. In these cases those employers against whom liability is established contribute to the claim in proportion to their period of employment.

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