Osteoarthritis
If your occupation has contributed to your osteoarthritis diagnosis, you may have an industrial disease claim.
What is osteoarthritis?
According to 2018 figures from Arthritis Research UK, over 8.75 million people aged 45 and over have sought treatment for osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a condition where cartilage around your joints wear away, causing the bones to rub together, becoming inflamed, stiff and painful.
The knee is the most common site in the body for osteoarthritis, followed by the hip and hands/wrists.
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are:
- pain
- stiffness
- a grating or grinding sensation (crepitus)
- swelling
- restricted use of a joint
- joint instability
- muscle thinning
What causes osteoarthritis?
There are various causes of osteoarthritis, including genetics and obesity. The condition can also develop through trauma, impact and repetitive activity, such as:
- trauma from a road traffic accident
- sports injuries such as torn cartilage, ligament damage such as anterior cruciate ligament strains and dislocated joints
- jobs that involve a lot of physical labour, repeated impact on joints, kneeling, squatting, typing, operating machinery etc.
Osteoarthritis is most common to the following occupations:
- Agriculture, forestry & fishing
- Construction
- Transportation and storage
- Human health and social work activities
Why make a claim for osteoarthritis compensation?
Your employer should provide you with the proper equipment to protect you during your work. If they are negligent in doing so, you can end up with an injury or illness such as osteoarthritis. Making a claim not only highlights the issue to your employer, it may also mean your colleagues are less likely to suffer in the future.
Compensation can help pay for medical costs and continuing treatment, prescriptions, travel to appointments and even lost earnings due to time off work.
How can First4Lawyers help?
We have experienced advisors who will chat you through the claims process, assess your eligibility to make a claim and ensure you’re put in touch with a specialist solicitor, who will be with you every step of the way. They will outline your options, together with information about our No Win No Fee option.
Only pay a fee if you receive compensation
Our No Win No Fee solicitors will take a success fee from the compensation you are awarded for a successful claim in the form of a percentage of your damages. This could be up to 25% but it won't be more than that, except in cases of road traffic accidents. Changing laws mean our solicitors will now take a payment of 30% of the final compensation amount plus VAT for all road traffic accident claims.
First4Lawyers are an award-winning claims management company with a track record of delivering service that our clients love.
How much compensation will I receive for an osteoarthritis claim?
Compensation for a work-related illness depends on a number of things, such as your specific circumstances, and the support and rehabilitation you need.
Assessments taking into account:
- Current and future loss of earnings
- Medical and travel expenses
- Any personal care needs
- Adaptations needed in order for you to continue in your home
- Mobility aids
- The pain and suffering endured
- Loss of earnings for carers
Is there a time limit for making a claim?
You usually have three years from your date of diagnosis to make an osteoarthritis compensation claim. However, our claims advisors can guide you based on your individual circumstances.
I think I have a claim, what do I do next?
Contact us for an initial chat, to find out whether you do have a compensation claim for osteoarthritis. It’s free and you are under no obligation to commit to anything. Our advisors will take a few details to understand your situation, and will let you know whether you are likely to have a claim. They will also explain our No Win No Fee service to you.
Just get in touch using the number at the top of the screen, request a callback, or simply fill in our online form.
