Occupational skin conditions, most commonly contact dermatitis, develop through repeated exposure to substances that irritate or sensitise the skin. They're particularly common in roles involving cleaning, hairdressing, catering, healthcare, and manual or industrial work involving oils, solvents or chemicals.
Employers have a duty to assess this risk and provide suitable protective equipment, most often gloves, along with proper training on their use. Where that didn't happen, or protection was inadequate, a claim usually follows.
What kinds of skin condition claim do we handle?
Contact dermatitis
From chemicals, cleaning products, oils and solvents.
Allergic skin reactions
From substances you became sensitised to through repeated exposure.
Chemical burns
From a specific incident involving a harmful substance.
Skin conditions in healthcare, catering, hairdressing and cleaning roles
Frequent handwashing and chemical contact are common causes.
Cases where protective gloves or equipment weren't provided or enforced
Including gloves of the wrong type for the substance handled.
What if I was partly at fault?
Partial responsibility can be relevant where protective equipment was provided and not used, but doesn't remove the employer's duty to enforce its use.
What you could receive
Skin condition claims cover general damages for the condition and its effect on your life, and special damages for financial losses, including treatment costs and, where the condition means you can no longer do certain work, loss of earnings.
We'll talk you through what's realistic for your situation once we've reviewed the details. We won't overpromise, and we won't quote a figure before we've properly understood your case.