News and Knowledge

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…

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…

Silicosis: Concerns raised for migrant workers in stonemasonry industry

Concerns have been raised for the safety of migrant workers who work in the stonemasonry industry after figures show that some are being exposed to toxic materials without protection.   The warning comes as Kevin Bampton, the chief executive of the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), said there were fears over workers being exposed to toxic silica dust when…

9 jobs most at risk of causing occupational asthma

Asthma affects more than 300 million people worldwide – but did you know that your job could put you more at risk of developing the condition?   Although some people are born with asthma and have it from childhood, studies predict that 16% of adults who develop it later in life is caused due to…

Woman dies from work-related illness caused by picking flowers and vegetables

A woman died from a work-related illness caused by picking daffodils and cabbages, an inquest has heard.   Rosa Perestrelo, 52, of Reawla Lane, Hayle, was exposed to breathing in irritants in her work picking vegetables and flowers, a respiratory consultant said. At the inquest, Dr Benjamin Soar told the Truro inquest that Ms. Perestrelo…