The City of Stoke-On-Trent is well known for the ceramic industry. It is better known by the locals as “the potteries”. The history of the production of pottery dates back to the 17th century. The area was ideal because of the abundance of clay and coal. Also salt and lead were needed used for the glazing and there was plenty of this in the area. In 1769 Josiah Wedgwood built one of Britain’s first large factories which became a famous name in the world of ceramics and is still in operation today but on a smaller scale. There are many museums around the city that go into details the whole history of the ceramics industry.
There were lots of disease and illnesses in the ceramic industry and many people died due to the toxic substances that they were exposed too. Lead was one of the worst and is the most toxic to man. It was used to create colours on pottery and the painters and glaze-dippers accidentally absorbed the lead into their blood streams though their skin and through licking the tips of their paint brushes. This eventually with enough exposure would tern to lead poisoning which was known as “potters rot” in the industry. This could result in paralysis or even death.
Other illnesses potters were susceptible too were serious respiratory diseases. Silica was another dangerous mineral that the potters were exposed too. Silica is a common mineral which is made up of sand and rocks and is the main ingredient to ceramic glazes. Inhaling silica dust can cause silicosis which is a fatal lung disease and many people suffered as a result. It is one of the oldest known occupational hazards.
Workers compensation was available to those who suffered as a result and rightly so. These days we are a lot more health and safety conscious and aware of dangers that we previously were oblivious too. And if we have even the most minor accident that was not our fault we can and should try to claim compensation. This is every person’s civil and legal right.
No win no fee agreements took over from legal aid in the late 90’s and is now available for everyone who has a personal injury and wants to be compensated. The good thing about no win no fee is that solicitors will not take on a case unless they are sure they will win it.
If you have had an accident in the Stoke area and would like to find out if you are entitled to compensation then you should look for a competent solicitor with experience in personal injury. There are many solicitor firms in Stoke but the best ones are those that offer free professional advice. With the technology of the internet now, we can shop for car insurance, loans, cars and even no win no fee solicitors. So just because you live in a little town without any solicitors you can log on to the internet and find the best one suited for your particular claim. You need a company that offers free advice over the phone and can tell you exactly what your chances are
