If you have developed occupational dermatitis because your employer failed to protect you from hazardous substances at work, you can claim compensation. Employers must comply with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), provide appropriate PPE and monitor skin health in high-risk roles. You normally have three years from diagnosis (or from when you first linked the condition to your work) to bring a claim.
Occupational dermatitis — sometimes called industrial or contact dermatitis — is one of the most common work-related health conditions in the UK. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports thousands of new cases each year, predominantly in industries where workers regularly handle chemicals, detergents, solvents, oils, cement or other irritants. The condition causes inflamed, itchy, cracked and sometimes blistered skin, and in severe cases it can end a career. If your employer's failure to manage the risk caused your condition, you have the right to claim.
Your employer's legal duties
Several overlapping regulations protect workers from skin disease:
- Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 — the overarching duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of employees.
- COSHH Regulations 2002 — require employers to assess the risk from hazardous substances, prevent or control exposure, provide information and training, and carry out health surveillance where there is a known risk of skin disease.
- Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 2022 — require suitable PPE (gloves, barrier creams) where exposure cannot be eliminated.
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 — general duty to assess risks and act on findings.
If your employer failed on any of these fronts — no risk assessment, wrong gloves, no skin checks, no training on handling chemicals — and you developed dermatitis as a result, that failure is the basis of your claim.
High-risk industries
The HSE identifies these sectors as having the highest incidence of occupational skin disease:
| Industry | Common irritants |
|---|---|
| Hairdressing | Hair dyes, bleaches, shampoos, frequent wet work |
| Healthcare | Frequent hand-washing, latex gloves, disinfectants |
| Construction | Wet cement (chromium), epoxy resins, solvents |
| Catering and food processing | Wet work, detergents, food allergens |
| Cleaning | Detergents, bleach, disinfectants |
| Metalwork and engineering | Cutting oils, coolants, degreasers |
| Agriculture | Pesticides, fertilisers, animal allergens |
| Printing | Inks, solvents, cleaning agents |
How much compensation for occupational dermatitis?
The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), 17th edition (April 2024), provide brackets for dermatitis within the skin disease chapter. The amount depends on severity, duration and impact on your ability to work:
| Severity | Guideline bracket |
|---|---|
| Minor — short-lived irritation, full recovery with treatment | £1,900 – £4,350 |
| Moderate — significant discomfort over a period, some lasting sensitivity | £4,350 – £10,820 |
| Serious — chronic condition requiring ongoing treatment, career impact | £10,820 – £21,040 |
These are general damages only. Special damages — lost earnings (which can be very significant if you can no longer work in your trade), the cost of ongoing skin treatment and care, and any retraining costs — are added on top. See our how compensation works guide.
Evidence for a dermatitis claim
- GP and dermatologist records showing diagnosis, treatment and any referral to occupational health.
- Employment history and details of the substances you were exposed to.
- Your employer's COSHH risk assessments (or evidence that none existed).
- Records of PPE provision — what gloves or barrier cream you were given, or were not given.
- Health surveillance records — whether your employer carried out skin checks.
- Photographs of your skin condition over time.
- Financial loss records — time off work, prescription costs, any career change.
✓ Date of knowledge matters
The three-year time limit runs from the date you were diagnosed or the date you first realised your skin condition was linked to your work, whichever is later (Limitation Act 1980, section 14). This is important because occupational dermatitis can develop gradually and the connection to work may not be obvious at first.
Time limits
You generally have three years from diagnosis or date of knowledge to bring a claim. See the date-of-knowledge point above and our full time limits guide.
Getting help
We are not a law firm. For a solicitor experienced in industrial disease claims, use the SRA register or the Law Society "Find a Solicitor" service. The HSE publishes guidance on preventing occupational skin disease, and Citizens Advice can help with your rights at work.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim compensation for occupational dermatitis?
Yes, if your employer failed to protect you from substances or conditions that caused or aggravated your skin condition. Employers have legal duties under COSHH 2002 to assess risks from hazardous substances, provide protective equipment and monitor skin health. If they breached those duties and you developed dermatitis as a result, you can claim compensation.
How long do I have to claim for work-related dermatitis?
Three years from the date you were first diagnosed, or from the date you first realised your skin condition was linked to your work, whichever is later. This date-of-knowledge rule under the Limitation Act 1980 section 14 is important because occupational dermatitis can develop gradually and you may not immediately connect it to your workplace exposure.
What evidence do I need for a dermatitis claim?
Key evidence includes your GP and dermatologist records showing diagnosis and treatment, your employment history and the substances you were exposed to, your employer's COSHH risk assessments and records of PPE provision, photographs of your skin condition, and evidence of any financial losses such as time off work or the cost of creams and treatment.
Which industries have the highest risk of occupational dermatitis?
The HSE identifies hairdressing, healthcare, catering, cleaning, construction, metalwork, printing and agriculture as high-risk sectors. Workers who regularly handle chemicals, solvents, detergents, cement, oils, epoxy resins or who wash their hands very frequently are particularly vulnerable.
Can I claim if I already had eczema before starting the job?
Potentially, yes. If your employer's negligence made a pre-existing skin condition materially worse, you can claim for the aggravation. You would not be compensated for the pre-existing condition itself, but for the additional suffering and losses caused by the workplace exposure. Medical evidence distinguishing the pre-existing condition from the occupational aggravation is essential.
Do I have to leave my job to make a claim?
No. You can claim while still employed. Your employer cannot lawfully dismiss or penalise you for bringing a legitimate personal injury claim. In practice, the claim is usually handled by your employer's liability insurer, not by your employer personally.
Get help from official, free sources
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) — check a solicitor is regulated
- The Law Society — Find a Solicitor — accredited PI specialists
- HSE — Skin at Work — guidance on preventing occupational skin disease
- Citizens Advice — free, impartial guidance on workplace rights
Related guides: industrial disease claims, occupational asthma claims, accident at work claims, how to make a claim and no win, no fee explained.