Occupational Disease in the Plastic and Rubber Industry

We help you through the injury claims process, helping you get the compensation you deserve.

Occupational Disease in the Plastic and Rubber Industry

As society continues to move towards more sustainable manners of production and usage, the manufacturing and production of plastic, polymers and rubber becomes something of the utmost importance and value. However, current, and previous workers in the plastic and rubber industry are often exposed to several hazardous dusts and fumes during the production process.

Many of these fumes have been determined as carcinogenic, and therefore increase the chance of a worker developing cancer. Those working in such industries are at a further threat of becoming susceptible to autoimmune diseases, blood conditions, and respiratory conditions.

Who can make a claim?

There are a number of sectors in the economy that involve the management and processing of plastic and rubber daily. Anyone who is consistently surrounded by the manufacturing of these materials will be at risk of exposure. Those who are continuously involved in plastic production are at an increased chance of developing:

Cardiovascular disease
Occupational Asthma
Dermatitis or Skin Irritation
Toxic metal poisoning
Lung Cancer and Other Respiratory Problems
Leukemia
Lymphoma
Brain cancer
Breast cancer
Mesothelioma

In relation to work with rubbers, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) declared that the prominent issue portraying such a risk to workers is the presence of β-naphthylamine – a compound known for its carcinogenic properties, and despite being less prevalent today, the removal of this agent leads to substantial decrease chances of cancer.

We can help you
find out if you have a claim

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What to do if you think lethal fumes resulting from work with plastic or rubber have affected you

If you have been working in an environment that is or has been subject to plastic and rubber production or processing – it is recommended to see a GP or specialist at your earliest convenience to verify any conditions consistent with the nature of employment.

Threats from several occupational diseases affect a number of workers daily, so we understand any difficulties or confusion you may have if you think your exposure to such problems has affected you. We’ve seen how traumatic and challenging an injury of this nature can be, that is why we operate on a no-win, no-fee basis, This means that in the unlikely event that we don’t succeed in securing compensation for you, we will not charge you for any of our professional fees.

Compensatory options

If you have been exposed to threatening fumes and dusts from this type of work, and are diagnosed with a related illness, it is likely you may be able to pursue potential entitlements. Such entitlements for compensatory options may include:

Weekly payments

If you are in a position where you cannot return to your pre-injury duties or an alternate form of employment from plastic and rubber exposure – you can earn weekly payments for any loss of wages incurred.

Medical and Treatment expenses

This can include costs that you may have incurred for GP and hospital appointments, medication expenses, travel costs, and any psychiatric or psychological expenses.

Lump Sum Compensation

You may be entitled to one-off, lump-sum payments in compensation for your pain and suffering if your situation with the injury qualifies you to be eligible to do so.

Superannuation Entitlements

If the exposure to high levels of rubber or plastic was by reason of your place of work, it may be possible to seek further benefits through your superannuation.

What to do next?

We understand that making a claim can be stressful, which is why we have broken down the process in 3 simple steps to start you on your journey.

Contact us today to book
your appointment

To contact us, simply fill out the form below and a member of our friendly team will contact you to set up a free, no-obligation initial appointment. Alternatively, you could give us a call on 07 5675 1300.

Meet with one of
our lawyers

Once you have made contact, you will have your appointment with one of our lawyers. We have multiple convenient locations, so you can find an office that is closest to you. Alternatively, we offer home or hospital appointments, ensuring you can be heard no matter your circumstances.

Discuss your
options

Once you have had your Free, No-Obligation initial appointment, our team will discuss your options with you and make a collaborative decision of the best course of action.

Occupational Disease in the Plastic and Rubber Industry