World COPD Day: 21st November 2018

21.11.2018

Wednesday 21st November 2018 is “World COPD Day”, a day dedicated to raising awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a term used to describe a group of progressive lung diseases, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. COPD occurs when the lungs become inflamed, damaged and narrowed and could be caused by factors such as long-term exposure to harmful fumes or dust, perhaps in a working environment. According to the British Lung Foundation, 115,000 people are diagnosed with COPD each year – equivalent to a new diagnosis every 5 minutes.

The Health and Safety Executive has published statistics which show that workers in the following industries are at an increased risk of developing COPD:

Agriculture

Brick making

Cadmium

Construction Sites and Welders

Dock workers

Flour and grain mills/factories

Foundries and Stonemasonry

Mining

Pottery/ceramics

Quarries

Rubber and Plastics

Textiles 

If you have been diagnosed, within the last three years, with a lung or respiratory disease which you feel may have been caused by working conditions, even if the work you did was a long time ago, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. Contact Linzie Viles, a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and one of our dedicated Personal Injury team, on 01623 626141 or at linziev@shacklocks.co.uk to discuss how we may be able to help you to bring a claim.