Latex Allergy - Industrial Disease & Accidents at Work Compensation
Latex allergy is an allergy to proteins that are present in natural rubber or to the chemicals used in processing the rubber. When a person is exposed to latex, they may become hypersensitive to it. This means that their body's immune system may overreact to it on re-exposure. Basically, the body thinks that the latex is harmful and makes antibodies to attack it. Eczema and asthma are common symptoms of the allergy.
Who is affected?
Those affected have included a high number of nurses, hospital workers and laboratory staff who wear rubber gloves containing latex on a frequent basis. The damage caused by these gloves is not immediately noticeable as symptoms of asthma may not develop until several weeks or even months after initial exposure. By this time it is often too late and the damage has already been done. Not quite so shocking, but equally distressing, are the skin conditions that latex can cause. Dermatitis is the most common and, depending on the latex induced reaction, can result in blisters, rashes, skin that oozes pus, itches or is flaky and itchy.
In addition to causing an allergic reaction resulting in skin conditions such as dermatitis, latex exposure can also cause some people to develop asthma. It is a condition that affects the airways, causing them to tighten and make breathing difficult, and an estimated 5.2 million people in the UK currently suffer from it.
Know your rights!
Some employers, however, have failed to pay attention to the warning and still fail to offer their workers an alternative method of protection. Under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988 (COSHH), all staff should be adequately safeguarded from hazardous substances that can cause personal injury and this includes, as well as wider known dangers such as toxins and carcinogens, potentially damaging materials such as latex.
Make a latex poisoning personal injury claim today
If you've found that your health has suffered because of latex exposure, you could be in a position to make a personal injury compensation claim against your employer. It matters not if it is asthma that has been caused, dermatitis, anaphylactic attacks or some other resultant problem, because we are here to help.
Symptoms of a latex allergy
What symptoms will I suffer from if I develop a Latex Allergy?
A latex allergy can be potentially fatal (this is called a Type 1 response). A person may have a very serious reaction to the latex protein in rubber which can include anaphylactic shock. Fortunately, this is very rare. More usually, an allergic reaction involves a response to the chemicals used to process the rubber (called a Type IV response). This can result in symptoms such as allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis. Other people may suffer irritation following contact with latex although this is not necessarily a true allergic response.
If you develop an allergy to latex as a result of exposure to latex at work you may be able to make a latex allergy compensation claim.
How to start a claim if you are suffering from a latex allergy
If you or someone you know believes that working conditions have caused you / them to develop a latex allergy or have made an existing condition worse, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
Let OD-CA assess your situation and, in eligible cases, help you secure the best possible compensation.
- Nothing to pay
- No deductions from your compensation
- An experienced solicitor will handle your claim
- Friendly, professional and supportive staff
- Excellent claim success rate
- Peace of mind that we are a registered and compliant company with the Ministry of Justice
- Talk in plain English, avoiding legal jargon
We help people every day claim compensation following all types of accidents, injuries and illnesses sometimes in the most unusual of circumstances.
Call us on
0800 118 5855 or complete our
online form and we'll call you back and tell you straight away whether we think you have a valid case and how you can make a claim.
Discover more:
Claim today!
If you, or someone you know has suffered, you are entitled to pursue a claim for the injuries and losses that you have suffered. Simply fill out our
online form today and let us help you get the justice you deserve.
Dentist Problem
Date Posted : 19/08/2010
I came across this article, which may help....
"The Royal College of Physicians and NHS Plus advised all hospitals to use powder-free, low protein latex gloves as an alternative to the traditional powdered latex sort.
It comes after a former trainee nurse won a six-figure compensation payout earlier this month when she was forced to give up her job due to a latex allergy.
Tanya Dodd, 25, developed the allergy, which can cause breathing problems and anaphylactic shock, while working at Scarborough General Hospital.
Ms Dodd said she had never been warned of the dangers of latex and was never told to minimise her exposure to it after she developed her allergy.
The guidelines said switching to powder-free gloves "significantly reduces latex allergy and latex-induced asthma" as they contain a tenth of the latex of powdered gloves."
et
View Post
Dentist Problem
Date Posted : 17/12/2009
If there was not a section on the Form that clearly asked "Are you allergic to latex?", then this is negligent practice by your Dentist.
I'm studying this at Uni right now and this is classed as a personal injury claim.
View Post
Dentist Problem
Date Posted : 14/10/2009
Hi, i recently visited a new dentist. Had to fill in the usual forms beforehand, but i didnt notice anywhere where it says "are you allergic to latex?"I had my initial examination anyway. 2 days later, my mouth/face broke out into a rash - after blood tests, my GP says I have an allergy to laytex. This surley is the Dentist fault for not warning me, no? I really need some advice on this.
AND I needed a filling - £47.50!! What's that about?? 
View Post
Families of Merseyside asbestos victims secure landmark court ruling
Date : 10 Mar 2011
TWO families have won groundbreaking legal claims to compensation for their Merseyside relatives’ exposure to asbestos.
In separate cases, relatives of Huyton mother-of-two Dianne Willmore and Eastham-based Enid Costello were awarded damages after convincing courts their deaths were related to “low level” asbestos exposure.
Last night, legal experts said the Supreme Court ruling could pave the way for similar claims nationwide.
Mrs Willmore, 49, was awarded £240,000 damages after convincing a High Court judge in July, 2009, that her time as a pupil at the former Bowring Comprehensive School, in Huyton, caused her incurable lung cancer.
Source : www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk
Link : http://www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2011/03/10/families-of-merseyside-asbestos-victims-secure-landmark-court-ruling-92534-28311231/
Virgin lounge masseuses sue airline after developing RSI
Date : 10 Mar 2011
Beauty therapists Jayne Evans, 40, and Michelle Hindmarch, 35, each developed chronic muscular strain – including pain in their shoulders, upper back and wrists – after giving intensive shiatsu massages at the airline’s Terminal 3 “Clubhouse” lounge at Heathrow.
Their barrister, Theodore Huckle, told the High Court that both women were “devastated” at being forced to abandon their careers as a result of their injuries.
Muscular aches and pains mean the women cannot carry out a range of household tasks including peeling carrots or “taking the Sunday roast out of the oven”, the court heard.
Mrs Evans, who still works for Virgin Atlantic on the administrative side, is seeking £327,000 compensation from the airline for exposing her to the risk of injury, while Mrs Hindmarch is claiming £235,000 in damages.
Source : www.telegraph.co.uk
Link : http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/8366027/Virgin-lounge-masseuses-sue-airline-after-developing-RSI.html
Company fined after exposing workers and the public to asbestos
Date : 08 Mar 2011
A refurbishment company has been fined after workers and the public were exposed to asbestos in a Leicestershire village
Shengxuan Company Ltd was converting a shop in Borough Street, Castle Donington, into a restaurant on 16 June 2010.
Part of the work involved converting an integral garage into a storeroom but in doing so, workers disturbed asbestos-containing materials. This was then put in a skip by the workers, who were unaware of its presence or its risks.
Source : www.hse.gov.uk
Link : http://www.hse.gov.uk/press/2011/coi-em-16111.htm