Occupational Dermatitis

Get support with occupational dermatitis claims from Beecham Peacock’s trusted occupational dermatitis solicitors in the North East.

Claim the compensation you deserve.

“Sarah Watson dealt with my claim from start to finish in a professional but caring and understanding manner. She offered expert advice throughout.” – Kelly, W.

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What is occupational dermatitis?

Dermatitis is a skin condition caused by contact with something that irritates the skin or causes an allergic reaction. It usually occurs where the irritant touches the skin, but not always.

Occupational dermatitis is one of the most widespread causes of ill health, as reported by the Health and Safety Executive, and affects workers in many industry sectors. Nationally, across all industries, an estimated 84,000 people have dermatitis caused or made worse by their work.

Common causes of occupational dermatitis

Irritant contact dermatitis – the most common form of occupational dermatitis – can appear quickly after contact with a strong irritant, or over a longer period from repeated contact with weaker irritants.

The irritant in question can be chemical, biological, mechanical or physical and does not have to be labelled as an irritant. In fact, repeated and prolonged contact with water can also cause irritant dermatitis.

Another common form of occupational dermatitis is allergic contact dermatitis, which occurs when the sufferer develops an allergy to a substance. Once someone is ‘sensitised’, your allergy to the substance is likely to be permanent.

Going forward, it is likely that any skin contact with that substance will cause allergic contact dermatitis.

Symptoms of occupational dermatitis

Sufferers of occupational dermatitis may have some – or all – of the following conditions:

• Itching
• Pain
• Blistering
• Weeping
• Redness
• Swelling
• Cracking
• Scaling or flaking.

In some instances, occupational dermatitis symptoms can be so bad that the sufferer has to change jobs or give up work altogether.

Treating occupational dermatitis

The best form of treatment for dermatitis is protection. If you work in an environment that involves exposure to irritants, it is the responsibility of your employer to ensure that your skin is adequately protected with relevant PPE when you are required to use harmful substances.

Common occupational dermatitis irritants

Occupational dermatitis can arise from any number of irritants. You may be eligible for occupational dermatitis compensation if you have been extensively exposed to irritants without your employer taking the proper care and preparation to protect you.

Some common irritants that form the basis for occupational dermatitis claims include:

Irritant contact dermatitis

• Wet work
• Soaps, shampoos and detergents
• Solvents
• Certain foodstuffs
• Oils and greases
• Dusts
• Acids and alkalis
• Wet cement.

Allergic contact dermatitis

• Some hair dyes
• UV-cured printing inks
• Adhesives
• Nickel
• Some plants, such as chrysanthemums
• Colophony
• Certain wood dusts.

Making an occupational dermatitis claim

Employers are legally required to make sure that workers are not at risk of dermatitis and that adequate protection is provided when employers are required to use irritants and harmful substances.

If your employer fails to ensure that protection is made available to you, Beecham Peacock can help you to make an occupational dermatitis compensation claim.

Most successful occupational dermatitis claims in Newcastle and the North East are made within three years of receiving a diagnosis. A timely claim is the best way to maximise your chance of success.

How much compensation can I get for occupational dermatitis?

The amount of compensation available to you for a successful occupational dermatitis claim will depend on a number of factors, in particular:

• How severe your dermatitis is
• The extent of your employer’s negligence in failing to protect you against irritating substances
• The cost of treatment, rehab and post-injury care required
• The level of pain and suffering that you have endured.

Contact us and make an industrial dermatitis claim with our North East specialists today to find out how much you could receive.

Occupational dermatitis compensation experts in Newcastle

As one of the leading occupational dermatitis solicitors in the North East, we have helped a huge number of people in Newcastle and beyond access the compensation they deserve.

We can also provide support for several other illnesses and diseases sustained in the workplace, including work-related cancer, occupational asthma, asbestos-related diseases and more.

Occupational dermatitis claim FAQs

Can I make an occupational dermatitis claim if I already have an existing skin condition?

Yes, you can make a claim if your skin gets worse due to circumstances at your job that have been caused or exacerbated by the negligence of your employer.

Can I make a claim for occupational dermatitis if it was caused by an allergy?

Yes – if your employer did not provide adequate protection from the allergen or insufficient training as to how to deal with it, you can claim compensation.

How long is the procedure for an occupational dermatitis claim?

This depends on your claim and how complex it is. Occupational dermatitis claims can be longer than other cases due to the time required to review evidence, especially if your employer denies liability.

Contact us for occupational dermatitis compensation

Our Newcastle-based occupational dermatitis compensation claim experts can help you get the result you deserve.

Get in touch today and claim what you are owed following your injustice.

Call on 0191 232 3048
Email enquire@beechampeacock.co.uk
Visit: 2nd Floor South, New England House, 10 Ridley Place, Newcastle, NE1 8JW