COPD (Bronchitis/Emphysema) Claim

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is persistent obstruction of the airways occurring with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or both disorders.

If your working environment has caused your COPD symptoms you are due Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease compensation.

"Atrium Legal were very helpful and dealt with my claim in a very professional manner, I was awarded £8000 "

This is a different condition to Asthma as the airflow obstruction with Asthma is variable and completely reversible in most people, either spontaneously or with treatment. The COPD disease usually affects people over the age of 40.

The diagnosis of chronic bronchitis and emphysema both come under the heading COPD and many people will suffer from both conditions.

Chronic Bronchitis - To be diagnosed with this condition you need to have had a persistent cough which repeatedly produces sputum over a two year period. When chronic bronchitis interferes with airflow obstruction it qualifies as chronic obstructive bronchitis.

Emphysema - This condition is described as widespread and permanent destruction of the alveolar wall (cells that support the air sacs) and enlargement to the majority of the alveoli (the final branch of the respiratory tree).

COPD is a major cause of disability and death.  It is the 4th leading cause of death throughout the world (World Health Organisation).

Causes of COPD

The main causes of COPD diseases are smoking and inhalation of fumes and dust.

The most commonly recognised agents include silica, coal, grain, cadmium and cotton. Paper mill workers are also particularly at risk, as are pig farmers. There is evidence that any worker in a dusty job is at risk.

According to research looked at by the HSE the following occupations are linked with a possible increased chance of getting COPD:

Agriculture, Brick Making, Cadmium Workers, Coal Mining, Construction/Building Trades, Dock Workers, Flour & Grain Workers, Food Industry, Foundry Workers, Petroleum, Pottery/Ceramic Workers, Quarrying, Rubber and Plastics manufacturing, Stonemasonry, Textile Workers, Welders. If you have worked in any of these and not been provided with adequate protection you should have a case for COPD compensation.

Symptoms of COPD

The symptoms of COPD are a persistent chesty cough producing phlegm.  Your chest will make a wheezing sound and you will develop frequent and troublesome chest infections.

Due to your lungs and breathing tubes being damaged, you will find it difficult to breathe, especially after any kind of physical excursion.

COPD is a slow developing condition and symptoms only tend to start causing problems in mid life, usually from your mid forties onwards.  For this reason many people think that their symptoms are connected with getting older or a lack of fitness therefore diagnosis is often missed in the early stages. If you suffer from these symptoms and have worked in industry you may have have the grounds to make a COPD claim.

Once COPD has developed the damage to the lungs cannot be reversed. The only way to prevent it from getting worse is to reduce exposure to the cause (dust, fumes & gasses) and if you are a smoker, stop smoking.

Substances which can have the potential to cause COPD (according to the HSE)

Caster bean Dust, Carbon dust, Cimetidine used in cimetidine tablet manufacturing, Epoxy resin curing agents, Ispaghula used in laxative manufacturing, Isocyanates, Azodicarbonanide used in plastics manufacturing, Cedar, oak & mahogany dusts (hardwood), Colophony fumes, Ipecacuanha used in the manufacturer of tablets.

To make a click here to make a COPD enquiry  today!