Polychlorinated Biphenyl Claims

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are one of many organic compounds that have been used in various industries in the past. Common sectors where they were used include coolant manufacturing, lubricants, plastics, and electrical equipment. PCBs are not used in any products today but can still be found in old refrigerators, television sets, and fluorescent lighting.

Workers may be exposed to this compound if they have not been provided with adequate personal protective gear. Members of the public may be at risk if proper safety measures are not taken at the time of disposal. If you or a loved one were diagnosed with an illness due to PCB exposure, you might be eligible to make a PCB claim.

To find out if you have a valid claim, do not hesitate to call 0800 470 0474 today for a free case assessment offered by an experienced personal injury solicitor. Alternatively, please use our online contact form if you would prefer to receive a callback.

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Table of Contents

• What is polychlorinated biphenyl?
• Am I entitled to make a PCB claim?
• What were polychlorinated biphenyls used for?
• What industries are most at risk of PCB exposure?
• How can PCBs affect your health?
• Duty of care of employers to prevent PCB exposure
• What evidence do I need to start a PCB claim?
• How much compensation could I get for exposure to PCB?
• Can I claim compensation on behalf of a loved one?
• What is the time limit for starting a PCB-related claim?
• Will I receive a No win No Fee service?

What is polychlorinated biphenyl?

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are a group of synthetic organic chemicals that were once widely used in various applications, such as electrical equipment, plastics and hydraulic fluids. They were favoured for their strength, heat resistance and insulating properties.

However, due to their stability, PCBs do not readily break down and persist for long periods in the environment. They are also highly lipophilic, meaning they can accumulate in the fatty tissues of organisms and pollute the food chain. Their use was banned in 1981 in the UK and their toxicity is well-known nowadays.

PCBs have been associated with a range of adverse health effects, including cancer, reproductive disorders, immune system dysfunction, and developmental abnormalities. Due to their persistence, polychlorinated biphenyls remain a concern despite their ban and pose ongoing risks to human health and the environment. They are still found in some products, such as lubrication oils, transformers and adhesives.

Am I entitled to make a PCB claim?

If you have been exposed to polychlorinated biphenyl at your workplace and have developed an illness as a result, you may be eligible to make a polychlorinated biphenyl compensation claim. The easiest way to find out if you have a valid personal injury claim is through a free consultation with a legal adviser. They will investigate your case to verify whether:

• Your employer or another party owed you a legal duty of care
• They breached their duty of care towards you
• You were exposed to polychlorinated biphenyl due to their negligence
• You developed an illness as a result of PCB contamination

Your solicitor will be able to show a duty of care by referring to legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. They will prove liability and help you gather evidence to support your PCB claim.

Your solicitor can help you get compensation even if you no longer work for your employer or they are no longer trading. If they have gone out of business, you could start a claim against their former insurer. Unfortunately, if both your former employer and their insurer are unreachable, you may be unable to proceed with a claim.

What were polychlorinated biphenyls used for?

Nowadays, we know that polychlorinated biphenyls are highly carcinogenic and cause various health issues. However, up until 1981, they were used for many industrial applications due to their desirable physical and chemical properties, including:

• Electrical equipment. Because of their excellent insulating properties, PCBs were widely used as dielectric fluids in transformers and capacitors.
• Hydraulic systems. PCBs were used as hydraulic fluids in industrial machinery and equipment to help them work smoothly under high temperatures and pressures.
• Sealants and adhesives. PCBs were used in sealants, adhesives, and caulking compounds to make them stronger and more resistant to water and chemicals.
• Coolants and lubricants. PCBs were used as coolants and lubricants in various processes, such as metalworking and heat transfer systems.
• Carbonless copy paper. PCBs were used as plasticisers in carbonless copy paper to facilitate the transfer of ink between sheets.
• Flame retardants. PCBs were added to some materials as flame retardants, making them less likely to catch fire.
• Insecticides. PCBs were sometimes used as components in insecticides and pesticides.
• Plastics. Some plastics were made with PCB additives to improve their flexibility, durability, and resistance to heat and chemicals.

What industries are most at risk of PCB exposure?

Industries that were and could still be at a higher risk of PCB exposure include:

• Electrical sector. Exposure may be due to the handling of equipment like transformers and capacitors, which often contain PCBs as dielectric fluids;
• Manufacturing. Without safety measures, PCB exposure can occur in facilities where PCB-containing materials, such as sealants, adhesives, and plastics, are produced or used in the manufacturing process;
• Construction. PCBs may be present in building materials used for insulation or may be released into the air during demolitions;
• Mechanics. Without proper protection, those involved in vehicle maintenance may be exposed to PCBs in old hydraulic or cooling systems;
• Waste management. Those working in waste disposal facilities or recycling plants can often be exposed to materials that contain PCBs;
• Chemical industry. Exposure may occur during the production of PCBs or products that contain them, such as flame retardants or lubricants;
• Agriculture. Farm workers may be exposed to PCBs through the use of pesticides or insecticides;
• Mining and metalworking. PCBs may be present in coolants or lubricants used in metalworking or mining activities.

How can PCBs affect your health?

Due to their use and disposal, PCBs can be found in air, water, and soil and have also entered the food chain. People are generally exposed to them through food, but workers in industries where they were routinely used could have been directly exposed to the chemicals if adequate safety measures were not in place. They can affect health in various ways, including:

• Skin conditions like rashes, irritation and dermatitis due to direct contact with PCB-containing materials;
• They can disrupt the endocrine system and interfere with hormone regulation;
• PCBs can cause liver damage and may lead to conditions such as liver inflammation and fibrosis;
• They are associated with neurological effects such as impaired cognitive function, learning disabilities, and developmental delays in children;
• PCBs can also contribute to neurological disorders in adults, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease;
• PCB exposure may weaken the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections and illnesses;
• Exposure can affect reproductive health and lead to decreased fertility, hormonal disruptions, and birth defects;
• They can also increase the risk of developing cancer, particularly liver cancer and some types of lymphoma.

If you or a loved one developed any of these or another condition due to PCB exposure, you may be entitled to start a polychlorinated biphenyl claim.

Duty of care of employers to prevent PCB exposure

Polychlorinated biphenyl is harmless in small doses. However, if a person is exposed to high levels of the compound, they can suffer conditions such as acne, skin problems, cancer or liver damage. In the UK, there are specific rules in place to protect the health and safety of workers from hazardous substances, including PCBs.

An employer may be held responsible if a worker has developed an illness from exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl at work. For this, it must be established that they failed to take adequate safety measures at the workplace, which might include:

• Conduct risk assessments to identify potential sources of PCB exposure;
• Offer sufficient training for workers on how to do their jobs safely;
• Provide personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, gloves and protective clothing;
• Monitor the level of PCBs in the workplace and provide any medical tests needed to survey the health of workers;
• Ensure any dangerous chemicals or materials containing them are safely stored, labelled and disposed of.

What evidence do I need to start a PCB claim?

If your solicitor believes you have a valid polychlorinated biphenyl claim, they will help you gather all the evidence you need to support it and secure compensation, which could include:

• Medical records showing your diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment related to PCB exposure;
• Blood tests, biopsies and other evidence of PCB contamination;
• Detailed information about your work history, including the tasks performed and duration of employment in industries or environments where PCB exposure was likely to occur;
• Workplace monitoring reports or incident reports related to spills or accidents involving PCBs at work;
• Reports from qualified experts who can link the workplace exposure to PCBs to your condition and assess your future care needs;
• Statements from co-workers who can attest to unsafe working conditions and the presence of PCBs in the workplace;
• Your testimony about how you were exposed to the toxic compounds and how this has affected your health and daily life;
• You should also have evidence of related financial losses and expenses, such as lost wages, medical bills or care costs.

How much compensation could I get for exposure to PCB?

The compensation amount you may get for PCB exposure will depend on the severity of the illness it caused you and how it has affected your life. Your solicitor will include two types of damages in your settlement award:

General damages cover the subjective ways in which your condition has affected you, such as:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Physical and mental disability
• Reduced quality of life
• Loss of amenities, such as the ability to take part in social activities

Special damages cover the financial losses incurred due to your illness, such as private treatments, care costs, loss of earnings, and travel expenses for medical visits.

For an estimate of how much your claim could be worth, try our compensation calculator or request a free case assessment with an experienced solicitor.

Can I claim compensation on behalf of a loved one?

Yes. You may be entitled to make a claim on behalf of someone you love, whether it is a child or an adult who is a protected party under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. In such cases, you can apply to the court to represent them as a litigation friend. If the court appoints you, you will have several responsibilities, such as liaising with solicitors, making decisions about the case and considering any compensation offers while keeping your loved one’s best interests in mind.

You can also make a PCB claim if you have lost a loved one due to exposure to the toxic chemical. You could receive compensation for the loss of services and financial support expected from the deceased, as well as funeral expenses and a bereavement award of £15,120 for your grief and suffering.

What is the time limit for starting a PCB-related claim?

The time limit to start a PCB claim is typically three years under the Limitation Act 1980. The three years will begin on the date of your exposure, if you suffered immediate symptoms like a rash or dermatitis. However, in most cases, the time limit will begin on the date your condition was diagnosed (known as the date of knowledge). The sooner you speak to a solicitor, the easier it will be to collect evidence and start your claim.

There are a few exceptions to the three-year limitation period:

• With child accident claims, the limitation period begins on the child’s 18th birthday. If their parents did not seek compensation on their behalf, the child has until their 21st birthday to start a claim.
• If the claimant cannot handle their case due to a condition such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, the time limit is suspended. A litigation friend can make a claim on their behalf at any time.
• If you lost a loved one due to cancer or another severe condition caused by PCBs, you can claim compensation within three years of their death.
• If you were negligently exposed to PCBs in the military, you have seven years to start a polychlorinated biphenyl claim through the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS).

Will I receive a No win No Fee service?

If you believe you have suffered an illness as a result of being exposed to polychlorinated biphenyl, an injury solicitor can help you make an industrial disease claim on a no win no fee* basis. They will take on the risk of litigation, and you will not have to pay any legal fees upfront. Furthermore, you won’t pay them a single penny if your claim fails. Your solicitor will only get a success fee if they manage to secure compensation on your behalf.

As part of this service, you also have After the Event (ATE) insurance against costs and disbursements incurred during the claims process. If you lose, the ATE will cover all your expenses, including court fees, medical reports, paralegal staff time and the defendant’s solicitors. This way, you will not take any financial risk by starting a claim.

If you would like an experienced personal injury lawyer to assess your claim for free, call 0800 470 0474 today or enter your details in our contact form to request a call back.

Last edited on 7th Aug 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.