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Your work shouldn't leave you with life-altering health conditions. But that's an unfortunate reality if you're living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or another lung condition because of your profession.

COPD can dramatically impact your quality of life, potentially undermining your ability to earn a living and limiting the things you can do in your spare time. No one should have to live a life like this, which is why it's important to seek the compensation you may be entitled to, with a COPD claim.

If you're living with the consequences of lung disease caused by your employer's negligence, contact us today for advice on claiming COPD compensation.

No Win No Fee COPD claims

We take most COPD industrial claim cases on a no win no fee basis, so you won't pay anything if you don't receive compensation.

About Us

Through ClaimsPeople, you'll have access to a panel of experienced UK COPD lawyers who understand the lung disease claim process inside and out.

Calculate your compensation

Find out the amount of COPD compensation you could be entitled to with a successful case using our claim calculator.

Prolonged exposure to and inhalation of dust, fumes and other substances are the leading causes of COPD and lung diseasein the workplace. Employees in the following industries are usually the most vulnerable:

You can develop COPD and other lung diseases in any industry, depending on your work environment. Your employer should take the necessary precautions to prevent it, but we can help you claim for COPD compensation if they didn't.


COPD claim FAQs

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly known as COPD, refers to a group of lung diseases that make it more difficult to breathe. The main two types are emphysema, where the air sacs in your lungs are damaged, and chronic bronchitis, which results in inflammation and phlegm in your airways. A recent Asthma + Lung UK report suggests 1.4 million people live with diagnosed COPD in the UK.

There are many causes, with smoking and air pollution being the most common non-work-related ones. However, prolonged inhalation of dust, chemicals and fumes in your workplace can damage your lungs and increase the likelihood that you'll develop COPD. It's important to note these causes can compound as well. For example, if you smoke and breathe in harmful substances, the risk is even higher.

All types of COPD cause similar symptoms, including:

  • Breathlessness, particularly when active
  • A persistent chesty cough and phlegm
  • Repeated chest infections
  • Chronic wheezing

Besides the basic symptoms, COPD sufferers are also more vulnerable to developing other health conditions such as pneumonia, lung cancer and heart problems, as well as psychological issues because of the impacts on their quality of life.


COPD symptoms tend to get progressively worse as you age, but the appropriate treatments can help keep any deterioration under control. Patients can also experience sudden episodes or flare-ups where symptoms become severe and often debilitating.

Some people don't know they have COPD until long after they start experiencing the first symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to managing the condition and protecting your wider health and wellbeing for as long as possible.

If you're suffering from the chronic effects of lung disease caused by your job, we may be able to help you get the COPD compensation needed to support you and your family. Talk to us today to discuss a claim.


If you've developed COPD or any other lung disease because of your line of work and your employer failed to take the necessary steps to prevent it, you could be eligible to make a COPD compensation claim

Your employer has a legal duty to protect your health and wellbeing in line with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Failure to provide sufficient training and proper personal protective equipment or making you operate in an unsafe work environment can expose you to harmful substances and increase the risk of lung disease.

COPD can have a significant impact on your life. Compensation can't cure lung disease, but it can support you and your family through its many complications and in making lifestyle changes to help manage the condition. 


Most compensation claims have to be started within three years of an injury or illness caused by an accident at work or in public, but COPD claims are slightly different. The symptoms of COPD can take a long time to emerge and develop, so this three-year rule could start from the date of first diagnosis, which could be years after exposure.


The COPD industrial claim process with ClaimsPeople will usually consist of the following steps:

  1. We'll listen to your side of the story and assess the impacts your lung disease diagnosis and symptoms have had on your life. After this, we'll let you know if we think you have a viable claim for COPD compensation.
  2. If you want to proceed with legal action, we'll connect you with an expert UK COPD lawyer who has extensive experience with cases like yours.
  3. Your lawyer will discuss the process with you and may ask for proof of your conditions and other evidence to support a claim. This is usually in the form of medical records, employment history and expense receipts.
  4. Once everything is in place, your COPD lawyer will submit your claim for assessment.
  5. You'll receive a decision from the courts and a successful claim will result in you receiving your COPD settlement not long afterwards.

There's no standard COPD compensation amount. Each case is different, and this is usually reflected in any settlement that's awarded. Damages are determined by a few core factors, including:

  • The severity of your COPD or lung disease condition
  • The impacts COPD has had on your physical health and wellbeing
  • The impacts COPD has had on your emotional and mental wellbeing
  • The financial consequences of your condition, such as lost income and medical bills

For a rough idea of what your COPD settlement could be worth, enter your details into our compensation calculator. All damages are based on the most recent edition of the Judicial College Guidelines, as instructed by the Ministry of Justice.


When you make a no win no fee claim with us your personal injury lawyer will take out insurance on your behalf that will cover all your claim costs and expenses including medical report fees, court fees and any barrister fees; so long as you comply with their terms and conditions, you won't have to pay any costs upfront, and there are no hidden surprises.


Why trust us with your COPD compensation claim?

Available 7 Days A Week

We have friendly advisors at the ready seven days a week, including bank holidays.

Risk-Free No Win No Fee

Our no win no fee agreement means you won't pay anything if your COPD claim is unsuccessful, provided you have the correct insurance in place and comply with your solicitors terms and conditions.

COPD Compensation Experts

We work with lawyers from a UK-wide, fully regulated panel of experts who can help get you the compensation you're looking for.

Fast Claim Assessment

We don't want to waste your time, so we'll let you know if we think you may have a valid claim for COPD compensation as soon as we can.

Calculate your compensation

Not sure if it's worth it? See how much you could receive with a successful COPD claim using our compensation calculator.

Speak to a COPD lawyer about a lung disease compensation claim today

Living with COPD caused by your work or workplace is never an easy pill to swallow. We could get you the lung disease compensation you and your family deserve. 

Speak to us for a free, no-obligation consultation to start the process. We'll assess your circumstances and discuss possible next steps if you're able to pursue a legal COPD claim. Give our friendly advisors a call today or use our callback form below.