News and Knowledge

Hepatitis B – What You Need To Know

In this article we look at what Hepatitis B is, symptoms, prevention and what to do if you think you have been exposed to the disease at work. What is Hepatitis B? Hepatitis B is a liver infection, which can be spread through blood, semen, and vaginal fluids. Hepatitis B normally lasts for a few…

Oakwood Solicitors Sponsors APF – Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis

Oakwood Solicitors is proud to sponsor Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis (APF) this September for its annual Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month.   The collaboration is aimed at increasing awareness of pulmonary fibrosis (PF), a debilitating lung disease that affects thousands of people in the UK, and provide support for those diagnosed with the condition.     As part…

UK Mesothelioma hotspots revealed

New figures have revealed where in the UK has the highest number of Mesothelioma-related deaths, as the latest figures published by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show the number of deaths is the highest on record.   Between 2013 and 2022, there were more than 24,000 deaths – nearly 4000 more than the decade…

Royal Marine Captain sues MoD for Noise-Induced Hearing Loss

A former Royal Marine captain who served around the world, is suing the Ministry of Defence over claims that his time in service has left him deaf.   Richard King worked with the Royal Marines for 36 years, where he was sent to some of the most deadliest spots, plagued with civil unrest including several…

Ford car factory closed after asbestos discovery

A Ford car factory has been forced to close after banned asbestos was found in sections of the building.   In a letter to customers, Ford – the UK’s second largest car brand, warned that a “small percentage” of chrysotile, commonly known as white asbestos, was detected in cement at one of its UK locations.  …

Experts call for ban on artificial stone worktops over silicosis risk

The growing number of silicosis cases linked to artificial stone worktops has sparked experts to call for urgent action, including a potential ban on these materials.   Silicosis is a fatal lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust, which is prevalent in artificial stone due to its high silica content. The disease has no known…

Armed Forces forced to pay out £150m in compensation for hearing loss claims

Ministry of Defence chiefs have been forced to pay out £150 million in compensation to personnel and former Armed Forces members who claim their hearing was damaged by their time in service.   According to figures obtained by The Telegraph, close to 10,000 serving and former members of the Armed Forces have been compensated for hearing…

Companies fined after 16 year old exposed to asbestos at work

Two companies have been fined after a teenager was exposed to asbestos at work.   The 16-year-old had been working for P Turnbull Joinery and Building Services Ltd on an outbuilding of a domestic property after the firm had been hired by Alt Berg Holding Limited to refurbish the property in Richmond, North Yorkshire.  …

Cancer diagnoses linked to RAF Sea King helicopters

More concerns have been raised as former RAF pilots claim that black soot and fumes expelled from Sea King helicopters have led to more than 150 military personnel suffering from various types of cancer.   Former service members have reported that despite frequently inhaling fumes while riding in Sea King helicopters, no personal protective equipment…

Company fined after workers exposed to excessive amounts of wood dust

The health of workers at a wood waste recycling centre was put in danger after being excessively exposed to dust, the Health and Safety Executive has found.   Breathing in or inhaling wood dust can cause illnesses such as asthma and nasal cancer, however, with the correct protections in place, this is often preventable. Dust…