What is the time limit for bringing an accident at work or occupational disease claim?

The law on time limits for accidents at work and occupational disease claims is complicated. The general rule is that as an adult you have three years from the date of the injury to have either settled your claim or started court proceedings where the injury occurred at work.

However with work place illnesses and diseases - sometimes referred to as industrial disease or occupational disease - the three year period only starts from when you know you are suffering from a condition caused by your employer. But this is complex - both medically and legally. Problems caused by exposure to asbestos for example often only come to light fifteen years or more after the exposure.

And there are some very limited circumstances when the time limits can be extended by the court – the important point is to take early legal advice.

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