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What is a Pesticide?
Information about Pesticides
Pesticide Poisoning
Am I at risk of developing Pesticide Poisoning?
Health effects of Pesticide Poisoning
What are the symptoms of pesticide poisoning?
Diagnosis and treatment of pesticide poisoning
What treatment will I need if I develop Pesticide Poisoning?
The control of pesticides and the prevention of pesticide poisoning
Pesticide Poisoning can be prevented
Pesticide Poisoning Compensation Claim Advice
How to start a claim for Pesticide Poisoning Compensation
A pesticide is defined a substance used to control or destroy a pest (this includes plant and animal pests). Pesticides can be made from chemicals or they can come from natural sources. The term pesticide includes herbicides (used for weeds), insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides (used for rodents) and molluscicides (used for slugs and snails).
Pesticides are frequently used in agriculture to allow plants and crops to grow unhindered and to prevent contamination of foodstuffs and thus safeguard human health. Pesticides are also widely used in many different workplaces. For example, pesticides are used in the textile industry to protect carpets and clothing from insect attack. Non agricultural pesticides can include slug pellets, ant powder, weed killers, and rat and mouse baits.
Agricultural pesticides are regulated by the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) and non-agricultural pesticides by the Health and Safety Executive.
If you are harmed by pesticides you may be able to make a Pesticide Poisoning Compensation Claim.
Exposure to pesticides can be dangerous as many are poisonous to humans. Pesticides are used to kill living organisms so they may be toxic to creatures other than the pests. Injury or illness may be caused by pesticides following ingestion, inhalation or direct contact with the skin.
Workers may become exposed to pesticides during their manufacture or application or during the harvesting and packing of crops. In some cases, employees are asked to work, surrounded by dangerous pesticides without being issued with the necessary protective clothing or any training about how to work with dangerous pesticides. In other cases, members of the public have come into contact with dangerous pesticides, which have been sprayed onto crops close to their homes or places of work.
If you are harmed by pesticides you may be able to make a Pesticide Poisoning Compensation Claim.
Symptoms will depend on the type of pesticide a person has been exposed to and the form of exposure. For example, organophosphate pesticides (insecticides) can produce skin disorders, abdominal pain, headaches, vomiting, and respiratory problems.
If pesticides are ingested, symptoms will develop very quickly and they can be very serious, even fatal.
If you are harmed by pesticides you may be able to make a Pesticide Poisoning Compensation Claim.
Blood and urine tests can be used to confirm poisoning.
Emergency treatment may be required so seek immediate medical advice. Treatment is usually aimed at reducing the symptoms and removing the poison. However, the success of treatment again depends upon the method of exposure and the type of pesticide.
If you are harmed by pesticides you may be able to make a Pesticide Poisoning Compensation Claim.
There are detailed regulations in place which are designed to protect all workers from exposure to chemicals and other substances in the workplace and these are called “The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1988” or COSHH for short. COSHH applies to any pesticide which meets the definition of a substance hazardous to health. There are also specific regulations concerning the use of pesticides – see the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (known as COPR).
Risk assessments should be made by employers and where appropriate protective steps should be taken to safeguard workers’ health. This may include providing gloves, goggles, respiratory protection and protective clothing.
If you are harmed by pesticides you may be able to make a Pesticide Poisoning Compensation Claim.
If you are unfortunate enough to be injured or acquire an illness as a result of coming into contact with pesticides then you may be entitled to make a personal injury compensation claim for the pain and suffering you have endured as a result so you may wish to contact a lawyer for advice.
In the meantime; however, it is important that you retain any evidence you may have which supports your exposure and ensure that when you visit your GP / Hospital for treatment you mention the cause of your injury to your doctor. Also remember to retain evidence of any injury-related expenses such as receipts for prescriptions or medication and evidence of travelling expenses.
Providing it can be proven that your injury was caused by your exposure to the pesticides and the person / company who allowed you to come into contact with the pollutant was negligent or in breach of their legal duties towards you, then your claim for compensation should be valid.
There are strict time limits in place to make any injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.