Black Lung Disease Claims

Black Lung Disease Claims

If you unfortunately have black lung disease, you may be able to bring a compensation claim. We understand that no amount of money can truly compensate for having this condition, but compensation can provide valuable financial support for you and your family.  

Our specialist industrial disease lawyers are here to answer your questions on black lung disease claims.

What is Black Lung Disease?

Black lung disease, also known as anthracosis, coal miner lung, or coal miners pneumoconiosis, is an occupational lung disease caused by prolonged exposure to coal dust, ground carbons, or graphite. The disease causes scarring of the lungs, making breathing painful and difficult. The severity of your condition can vary based on the extent of exposure and the length of time you’ve had it.

While there is no cure for black lung disease, treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Compensation can also provide financial support for making life a bit more comfortable. If you suspect your lung condition is related to your working environment, our respiratory disease solicitors can help you determine if you have a potential claim.

Who Can Claim Compensation for Black Lung Disease?

You may be eligible to claim compensation for black lung disease if it was caused by your work environment. If you were exposed to harmful dust, chemicals, or fumes and now suffer from a lung disease, it's worth checking if your condition qualifies as an industrial lung disease due to its association with work environments.

To succeed in a claim, you need to prove that your employer was negligent. This could involve a failure to provide adequate personal protective equipment or insufficient investment in machinery to reduce dust exposure. Time limits apply to claim for black lung disease, typically within three years from:

• The date of diagnosis, or

• The date you became aware, or should have been aware, of your claim.

Even if your employer has gone out of business or merged with another company, or if you have worked for multiple employers in the industry, our specialist solicitors can assist in identifying the responsible party and gathering the necessary evidence.

The compensation amount for black lung disease depends on the severity of your condition and prognosis. Do not be discouraged from seeking a claim if you have always managed mild symptoms or are still working despite breathlessness.

Our expert industrial disease lawyers will obtain the necessary medical evidence to support your claim and ensure you receive the best possible compensation for your pain and suffering. Compensation will also cover:

• Costs of GP and hospital appointments.

• Past and future loss of earnings if your condition affects your ability to work.

• Costs for necessary equipment not provided by the NHS.

• Home adaptations.

Where your employer accepts the claim, we will request interim compensation to help with immediate expenses while we negotiate or seek a court decision on the full compensation amount.

Why choose Thompsons?

Choosing Thompsons means you benefit from our long-standing expertise and commitment to representing industrial workers:

• We have strong links to the mining industry and have represented miners and industrial workers for over 100 years, fighting for justice and compensation for industrial diseases.

• Our experienced lawyers, who exclusively act for claimants, are adept at holding employers and their insurers accountable.

• As trade union solicitors, we are deeply rooted in employee advocacy and can provide support whether you're a union member or not. If you're not in a union, we offer no win, no fee funding to assist you.

If you want to learn more about how we can help you or how no win, no fee funding works, please reach out to one of our specialist solicitors.

Our lawyers are here to support you with compassion and dedication. We understand that dealing with black lung disease can be challenging, and we are committed to helping you through this process with care.

Our lawyers are more than happy to give you a call to discuss your claim at a time and date suitable to you.

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