Claiming After A Lung Injury

Suffering from lung or breathing difficulties can be very frightening and disabling. According to statistics, between 50 and 80% of fatalities from fires are not as a result of burns but as a result of smoke inhalation. These statistics just go to show how dangerous damage to lungs can be. It is the toxins in smoke that affect the ability of the lungs to absorb oxygen which causes someone who breathes in smoke to lose consciousness very quickly. If you have been involved in an accident that was not your fault and have since developed a lung injury then you may be entitled to make a claim of compensation. It does not matter whether your injuries were caused by smoke inhalation or by other toxic fumes; it is your right to make a claim of compensation against the person at fault.

The compensation amounts can vary quite greatly across different cases and different levels of injury. If you have suffered temporary aggravation of bronchitis or other chest problems that have been able to be resolved within a few months then you will qualify for the lower band of compensation of up to £3,450. If the bronchitis and wheezing is not causing any serious symptoms and there is no evident serious or permanent effect on a person’s working or social life you could expect up to £20,000 worth of compensation. If you are experiencing serious breathing difficulties which require fairly frequent use of an inhaler, you are unable to tolerate a smoky environment and you are experiencing a significant effect on social and working life then you qualify for the top band of compensation and can expect to receive up to £35,000.  

Lung injuries can happen almost everywhere and in the most everyday situations. For example, even some everyday cleaning products can release fumes that can irritate the eyes and throat as well as making breathing difficult. Even products such as domestic bleach can release chlorine gas which can cause choking and vomiting if inhaled. It may be that you are exposed to stronger industrial cleaning products in an office environment or in a public place and you will be at a similar level of risk in these situations as well.

As with lots of things, the longer you are exposed to any hazardous chemicals or cleaning products the more chance there is that you may be left with permanent inhalation injuries. If someone else is responsible for your smoke inhalation or toxic fumes injuries then you may be able to make a claim for compensation. Another common cause of lung injuries include exposure to asbestos dust has been a common cause of lung injuries.