Silicosis Causes

Thousands of silicosis cases occur throughout the United States each year; it is important to know the most common silicosis causes if you are diagnosed with this condition. You may have grounds for legal recourse against an employer, a manufacturer, a supplier, or any other party responsible for the silica dust exposure. Exposure to silica dust is the only cause of silicosis, and tracing the source of your exposure will be essential to your case.

Understanding Silicosis Causes

Silicosis is caused by exposure to silica dust. Many types of products include silica, and some of the most common silicosis causes are work that requires cutting and grinding these materials. For example, if you work in the stone countertop industry, you may need to cut, grind, and polish stones that contain trace amounts of silica. These activities will release silica dust particles into the air, where they can be inhaled, and over time, these particles accumulate in the lungs.

It is possible for silicosis to develop very quickly, within a few months in some cases. This usually follows consistent heavy exposure or exposure without proper safety equipment. Other cases develop more gradually, often taking years for noticeable symptoms to appear. There is no safe level of silica dust exposure; any amount of exposure can cause silicosis to develop, and once the disease has taken root, it can continue to progress even if exposure stops.

Silica dust particles are incredibly small and crystalline. When they are inhaled, they accumulate in lung tissues and gradually damage the lungs. This can make it difficult to breathe, and the disease can progress to a fatal stage very rapidly without medical intervention. It is important to remember that silicosis cannot be cured. It can only be managed, and early detection of the disease yields better outcomes for those diagnosed with silicosis.

Pursuing Compensation for Silicosis

You may have grounds for a toxic exposure lawsuit if you have been diagnosed with silicosis. An experienced attorney can help you determine the root cause of your condition, identify the party or parties responsible, and assist you with calculating your damages. If you developed the condition through your work, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim through your employer, but a toxic exposure lawsuit can yield a more robust recovery.

Your attorney can help you determine liability for your condition. You may have grounds for a lawsuit against a product manufacturer, supplier, or other business, and you may also have the right to file a claim against your employer if they failed to provide appropriate safety equipment and/or failed to enforce adequate workplace safety measures. You may also have grounds for a product liability claim if faulty safety equipment is responsible for your silicosis.

Wallace & Graham, P.A., can help you explore your legal options for this diagnosis. We know the most common causes of silicosis and how to help our clients take full advantage of their legal options when they have been harmed by another party’s dangerous products, negligence, or willful misconduct. It is important to connect with an attorney you trust as quickly as possible after diagnosis of any form of silicosis.

Silicosis Causes FAQs

Q: What Jobs Have the Highest Silicosis Risk?

A: The jobs with the highest silicosis risk include stone cutting and stonework, masonry, construction, manufacturing, sandblasting, agriculture, and many types of work within the oil and gas industry. Silicosis is caused by repeated exposure to silica dust, and it is possible to be exposed to silica dust particles while performing many types of jobs. If you developed silicosis from work, it’s vital to consult an attorney.

Q: What Are the First Signs of Silicosis?

A: The first signs of silicosis are often mistaken for symptoms of less serious conditions like severe colds, the flu, asthma, or pneumonia. Silicosis causes shortness of breath, chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and rapid weight loss in most cases. Other symptoms can appear over time, such as night sweats, leg swelling, and heart disease. These symptoms will continue to worsen, and it is only possible to mitigate symptoms; silicosis cannot be cured.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for Silicosis?

A: The amount of compensation you can claim for silicosis will depend on several factors. You may have grounds to file a workers’ compensation claim if you developed the condition through your work, and you may also have grounds to file a toxic exposure lawsuit depending on who is responsible for your silica dust exposure. It is possible to recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, lost future earning potential, and your pain and suffering.

Q: Why Should I Hire a Silicosis Lawyer?

A: You should hire a silicosis lawyer because navigating your case successfully may be more challenging than you initially expected. You will need help from a seasoned attorney in order to prove fault for your condition, identify the root cause of your silicosis, and determine the full breadth of your legal options that can yield compensation. You are more likely to succeed with your case and more likely to maximize your recovery with an attorney’s help.

Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a Silicosis Lawyer?

A: The cost to hire a silicosis lawyer will depend on the total value of your case if you choose Wallace & Graham, P.A., to represent you. We handle these cases on a contingency basis, so we only charge our client a fee if and when we win their case, and this fee is a percentage of the total compensation we recover for them. This ensures legal expenses do not overtake your recovery, and you pay nothing if we are unable to obtain compensation for you.

The team at Wallace & Graham, P.A., has extensive experience handling difficult silicosis claims for our clients, and we can leverage this experience for you if you believe you have grounds to file a silicosis claim. We know the most common causes of silicosis and how to help you prove liability for your condition. Contact our team today and schedule a free consultation with an attorney to guide you through your recovery efforts.