Eczema and allergic contact dermatitis should not be confused as they do differ however the terms are commonly used interchangeably. Dermatitis refers to irritation and reddening of the skin, causing pain, cracking and itching, after the skin has been exposed to external substances. Eczema, on the other hand, involves reddening and blistering of the skin but is, importantly, a genetic response to exposure.
This condition is caused by external substances in the workplace which can be painful, disfiguring and in its worst form disabling, causing sufferers to lose days from work, impairing movement and creating a need for expensive treatments. Employers are legally obliged to ensure that the health and safety of their employees is assessed and that mechanisms are installed so they are safeguarded. If you have developed this condition, due to circumstances at work, then you may stand to win damages. Contact us for legal advice today and see whether you could exercise your legal right to compensation.
What exactly causes allergic contact dermatitis of the skin? Exposure to chemicals is one factor. Those who work in industry, science, manufacturing and processing may be exposed to irritants that cause the skin to flare up. Submersing hands in water may also cause dermatitis. Chapped hands are well known to most of us, but having contact with water for a prolonged period can cause more severe irritation: those in catering and other industries may be particularly prone to this. Biological agents such as foliage and bacteria are further causes, making those who work in agriculture susceptible, while physical agents such as ultra-violet radiation caused by excessive sunlight may also motivate the disease. Meanwhile, employees in construction and other manual workers may also suffer from dermatitis caused by abrasion by machines, which thins and weakens the skin and can cause irritation. Medically, this condition tends to be classified in two ways: it is either caused by irritation, such as exposure to volatile chemicals; or by allergy, such as a reaction to specific plants.
If you have symptoms including redness, cracking, soreness and blistering, sometimes accompanied by itching and puss secretion, it is worth seeking medical advice. On receipt of a diagnosis, query whether the factor that caused it was related to your work, and question whether your employer may have better protected you from your condition. Sometimes allergic contact dermatitis may be very mild, but in other cases, such as where large-scale exposure to chemicals caused a flare up, it may be that employer negligence has led to substantial suffering and time off work. You have a legal right to compensation if your employer has failed to protect you adequately.
The UK Occupational Illness Solicitors Network operates nationwide and will deal with claim using the no win no fee scheme. Compensation is always paid in full with absolutely no deductions and there is no need to finance your claim. If the case is lost you still pay nothing. If after talking to us you decide not to take matters further then you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged for our advice.
