Skin conditions claims

Skin conditions such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis are all too common and affect a large percentage of people.

The most common work related skin condition is contact dermatitis which is discussed in this section.

Dermatitis

This skin condition is red, inflamed, dry and itchy in appearance and can cover a specific part of the body, e.g. the hands or spread over large areas.

Dermatitis is a reaction to an irritating substance but can also occur as a result of dry skin, scratching or through contact with an allergen.

It can range in severity from mild through to a serious form of this disease. The serious version is long lasting and in many cases often prevents the sufferer from doing their job. This may force them to change jobs.

Dermatitis occurs via contact with substances which are known irritants, e.g. detergents. Other substances include chemicals, cleaning fluids, solvents, rubber and oils.

If you have developed dermatitis as a result of contact to known irritants which your employer failed to protect you against then you may be entitled to compensation.

Who is most at risk of dermatitis?

The following jobs are considered a high risk for dermatitis and include:

• Nurses
• Painters
• Hairdressers
• Cleaners
• Porters
• Engineers

If you are employed in any of these jobs then you are at high risk of developing dermatitis unless you are safeguarded against this risk.

Employer responsibility

Your employer must adhere to Health and Safety regulations in regard to the handling of substances which are known to cause dermatitis. He or she should make you and other employees aware of the risks, change to safer substances and provide you with protective clothing such as safety gloves.

Every step should be taken to minimise the amount of contact you have with these substances.

If the measures taken by your employer are inadequate or they fail to implement any such precautions then they are liable for compensation.

Effects of dermatitis

Many cases of dermatitis can be managed by sufferers but there are some which are serious and long lasting which cause a great deal of psychological distress.

If you have a severe form of dermatitis then this may have spread over many areas of your body. This rash has an unsightly appearance and tends to be rather painful.

This causes feelings of anxiety and self-consciousness which also affects your confidence. It can also affect your ability to carry out your job and this only adds to the stress.

People with a severe form of dermatitis often become depressed as a result. Their dermatitis has affected their quality of life which is noticeable to their friends and family.

If this applies to you then seek medical advice and consider making a claim for compensation.

Making a claim for compensation for dermatitis

Search for a solicitor or personal injury lawyer who has expertise in this area. He or she will have dealt with several cases related to contact dermatitis and can advise you accordingly.

They will have knowledge and understanding of the many issues that surround these types of claims and will bring this to bear when assessing your case.

An initial review will be performed of your claim to determine if there are sufficient grounds, and evidence for pursuing a claim. From this your lawyer or solicitor will be able to gain an idea of the likely outcome.

For more information visit our making a claim for compensation section.

Time limit for claiming compensation for dermatitis

There are strict time limits for personal injury claims. These are usually 3 years from the date of the accident, injury or diagnosed illness.

But confirm this date with your lawyer or solicitor as there are a few exceptions to this rule.