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Industrial Disease — No Win No Fee

England & WalesLast reviewed 18 September 2026

Industrial disease claims cover illnesses caused by workplace exposure to hazardous substances or conditions. Common claims include mesothelioma, noise-induced hearing loss, and vibration white finger. These cases are handled on a no win no fee basis.

What Are the Most Common Industrial Diseases?

Direct Answer: The most common industrial disease claims are mesothelioma (asbestos cancer), noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), asbestosis, and occupational asthma. Date of knowledge rules apply for limitation periods. Claims can be brought on a no win no fee CFA.

  • Mesothelioma — an aggressive cancer of the lung lining caused by asbestos exposure, typically with a 20–50 year latency period
  • Asbestosis — scarring of lung tissue caused by asbestos fibres
  • Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) — permanent hearing damage from excessive workplace noise
  • Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) — nerve and blood vessel damage from vibrating tools
  • Occupational asthma — asthma triggered by workplace substances (flour, chemicals, wood dust)
  • Occupational dermatitis — skin conditions caused by workplace irritants or allergens
  • Pneumoconiosis/coal workers' pneumoconiosis — lung disease from inhaling mineral dusts

How Do Mesothelioma Claims Work?

Mesothelioma claims have special provisions in English law. The Compensation Act 2006 (s.3) addresses the causation difficulties that arise when the claimant was exposed to asbestos by multiple employers, following the House of Lords decision in Fairchild v Glenhaven Funeral Services [2002]. Each employer who materially increased the risk of developing mesothelioma can be held jointly and severally liable.

How Are Historic Employers and Insurers Traced?

Many industrial disease claims relate to exposure that occurred decades ago with employers that may no longer exist. The Employers' Liability Tracing Office (ELTO) maintains a database of EL insurance policies to help claimants identify the relevant insurer. For mesothelioma cases where no insurer can be traced, the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme 2014 (under the Mesothelioma Act 2014) provides lump-sum payments funded by a levy on insurers.

Key Regulations

  • Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
  • Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
  • Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
  • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)

Specific Work-Related Illness Claims

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Claims

You can claim for hearing loss if prolonged noise at work, without proper protection or controls, caused it.

Read more

Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome Claims

Hand-arm vibration syndrome, including vibration white finger, is a permanent nerve, blood-vessel and joint condition caused by prolonged use of vi…

Read more

Asbestos-Related Disease Claims

Asbestosis, pleural thickening, asbestos-related lung cancer and mesothelioma are all compensable where negligent exposure at work caused them.

Read more

Mesothelioma Claims

Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer caused by asbestos.

Read more

Occupational Asthma Claims

Occupational asthma is asthma caused by a substance you breathe in at work, such as isocyanates, flour dust, wood dust or solder fumes.

Read more

Occupational Dermatitis Claims

Occupational contact dermatitis is skin inflammation caused by irritants or allergens at work, such as wet work, cleaning products, cement or oils.

Read more

Repetitive Strain Injury Claims

RSI, or a work-related upper limb disorder, is pain and damage to muscles, tendons or nerves from repetitive work.

Read more

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an industrial disease claim?

An industrial disease claim is a personal injury claim for illness or disease caused by exposure to hazardous substances or conditions in the workplace. Common industrial diseases include mesothelioma, noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), and occupational asthma.

Can I claim for industrial disease on no win no fee?

Yes. Industrial disease claims are commonly handled on a CFA (no win no fee) basis. These cases can be complex due to long latency periods and the need to identify responsible employers, but specialist solicitors regularly take them on.

What if my former employer no longer exists?

You can still claim. The Employers' Liability Tracing Office (ELTO) maintains a database of employers' liability insurance policies. If the employer has been dissolved, the claim is brought against their insurer. For mesothelioma claims where no insurer can be traced, the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS) may provide compensation.

How long do I have to claim for an industrial disease?

The limitation period is 3 years from the date of knowledge — the date you first knew (or ought to have known) that your condition was caused by your work. For diseases with long latency periods (such as mesothelioma, which can take 20–50 years to develop), this is typically the date of diagnosis.

What is NIHL (noise-induced hearing loss)?

NIHL is permanent hearing damage caused by prolonged exposure to excessive noise in the workplace. If your employer failed to provide adequate hearing protection or reduce noise levels in compliance with the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 (and predecessors), you may have a claim.

You May Also Be Interested In

Employers' Liability

Workplace injury claims against employers.

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Personal Injury

Overview of personal injury no win no fee claims.

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Fatal Accidents

Claims when industrial disease causes death.

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What Is No Win No Fee?

Complete guide to CFAs in the UK.

Read more

Where this applies: This page covers England and Wales. The rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland are different.

Sources for this page

Every rule stated above is based on the primary sources below. Each link goes to the legislation, court rule or regulator itself so you can check it. Last verified 18 September 2026.

  1. Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, s.58 (conditional fee agreements)

    The provision that makes CFAs lawful and enforceable. CFAs derive from this section, not from LASPO.

  2. Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013, arts. 4–5 · in force from 1 April 2013

    Art. 4 caps the success fee at 100% of base costs. Art. 5 caps what may be taken from damages in personal injury at 25% of PSLA plus past pecuniary loss, net of CRU, at first instance.

  3. Civil Procedure Rules, Part 44 (incl. rr.44.13–44.17, QOCS)

    Qualified one-way costs shifting and its exceptions. Rule 44.14 was amended with effect from 6 April 2023.

Who wrote and checked this page

Written and published by
Edward & Amaury Solicitors (Edward & Amaury Ltd, company no. 12195443), regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under no. 800525.
Legal review
Checked for England & Wales by Edward & Amaury Solicitors — Solicitors regulated by the SRA (no. 800525) (verify on the regulator’s register).Review is recorded against the firm. The individual reviewer is not named on this page.
Review dates
Last reviewed 18 September 2026. Next review due 18 March 2027.

Fee rules change. California’s medical malpractice fee limits changed on 1 January 2023, and the QOCS rules in England and Wales changed on 6 April 2023. If you spot something out of date, tell us — we publish corrections.

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Where this applies: This page covers England and Wales. The rules in Scotland and Northern Ireland are different.

Sources for this page

Every rule stated above is based on the primary sources below. Each link goes to the legislation, court rule or regulator itself so you can check it. Last verified 2 August 2026.

  1. Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, s.58 (conditional fee agreements)

    The provision that makes CFAs lawful and enforceable. CFAs derive from this section, not from LASPO.

  2. Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013, arts. 4–5 · in force from 1 April 2013

    Art. 4 caps the success fee at 100% of base costs. Art. 5 caps what may be taken from damages in personal injury at 25% of PSLA plus past pecuniary loss, net of CRU, at first instance.

  3. Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012, ss.44–46 · in force from 1 April 2013

    Ended recoverability of success fees and ATE premiums from the losing party. Did not create or regulate CFAs.

  4. Civil Procedure Rules, Part 44 (incl. rr.44.13–44.17, QOCS)

    Qualified one-way costs shifting and its exceptions. Rule 44.14 was amended with effect from 6 April 2023.

Who wrote and checked this page

Written and published by
Edward & Amaury Solicitors (Edward & Amaury Ltd, company no. 12195443), regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under no. 800525.
Legal review
This page has not yet been through independent legal review. It is written from the primary sources listed below, which you can check directly.
Review dates
Last reviewed 2 August 2026. Next review due 2 February 2027.

Fee rules change. California’s medical malpractice fee limits changed on 1 January 2023, and the QOCS rules in England and Wales changed on 6 April 2023. If you spot something out of date, tell us — we publish corrections.