Industrial Disease Claims in Scotland

Last reviewed August 2026

What an industrial disease claim covers

If you developed an illness because of conditions at work, such as exposure to asbestos, excessive noise, vibrating tools or harmful chemicals, you could be owed compensation. These conditions often appear years after exposure, but a claim may still be possible even if your employer has since closed. We can help you make a start.

What you could be owed

A claim could cover:

• Your injury — the pain and how it has affected your life (known in Scots law as solatium)
• Lost earnings — past and future, if you’ve had time off or can’t work as before
• Treatment and care — rehabilitation, and help from family
• Out-of-pocket costs — from travel to appointments to aids and adaptations

What you could receive depends on your circumstances.

When you can claim

The time limit for industrial disease claims can be complex. It generally runs from the “date of knowledge”: when you knew or ought to have known your condition was caused by your work, rather than from when symptoms first appeared. There is more on this in our guide to personal injury time limits in Scotland.

Even if your former employer has closed, their liability insurance at the time may still cover your claim. Specialist solicitors can trace historic insurers.

How it works

1. Tell us what happened — answer a few quick questions about your condition and work history
2. We connect you with Scottish specialists — we pass your details to regulated Scottish solicitors with industrial disease expertise
3. They take it forward — if you have a case, they pursue your claim under Scots law

Industrial disease claims are usually taken on under a speculative fee agreement, the arrangement most people know as no win, no fee, so you’re not taking on the financial risk.