Silicosis Symptoms

Silicosis Symptoms

Silicosis is an incurable lung disease caused by exposure to silica dust. It’s possible for someone to be exposed to silica dust through their work, and over time, this will cause silicosis to develop and generate various adverse symptoms. It is vital to know silicosis symptoms and the early warning signs of this disease. While it is incurable, early detection can improve the victim’s quality of life by making it easier to manage their symptoms.

Early Warning Signs: Silicosis Symptoms

Silicosis is a complex disease that can progress at different rates based on multiple factors. A person’s age, level of exposure, and overall medical condition are some of the factors that determine when silicosis symptoms are likely to appear, their severity, and how soon the disease can be accurately diagnosed. The early warning signs of silicosis are often mistaken for other, less serious diseases, such as typical lung infections or viral illnesses.

Silicosis symptoms usually do not appear until years of repeated exposure to silica dust but may appear more rapidly because of repeated heavy exposure. Additionally, the disease will continue to progress even after exposure has stopped. It’s possible for you to have developed this condition at a previous job you left years ago, but your symptoms are likely to continue to worsen.

Some of the most commonly reported early silicosis signs include chest pain, difficulty breathing, a persistent cough that produces sputum, unexpected weight loss, shortness of breath that worsens over time, and fatigue. As the disease progresses, other symptoms often appear, such as night sweats, leg swelling, bluish discoloration of the lips, and heart disease. It’s possible for these symptoms to be mistaken as signs of the flu, a severe cold, asthma, or pneumonia.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Once silicosis is confirmed, the patient will be told what level of the disease they have and whether it is chronic, accelerated, or acute. While the disease cannot be cured, there are various treatments that may improve the victim’s quality of life and help them manage their symptoms. In extreme cases, lung transplants can be performed, and many people diagnosed with this condition will require the use of several daily medications.

If you believe you have developed silicosis from work, it is possible to have grounds for various legal actions that can help you manage the financial impact of the disease. For example, a workers’ compensation claim may cover your medical expenses if it is a work-related condition, and you may also receive disability benefits during the time you are unable to work. If you file a toxic exposure claim, you can recover far more compensation than workers’ comp provides.

Wallace & Graham, P.A., can review your symptoms and medical records to help you determine the cause of the disease and discern your legal options. Our firm has assisted many past clients with silicosis lawsuits and is fully prepared to file a comprehensive toxic exposure lawsuit for you. As soon as you or a loved one is diagnosed with silicosis, you need to connect with an attorney you trust to help you pursue accountability.

Silicosis Symptoms FAQs

Q: What Is the Life Expectancy of a Person With Silicosis?

A: The life expectancy of a person with silicosis will largely depend on how early the disease is detected and the stage of the disease. When stage one silicosis is detected early, life expectancy is around 20 years. Life expectancy for stage two silicosis is roughly 16 years, and life expectancy for stage three silicosis is about seven years. The age of the victim, years of exposure, and the stage of the disease when it is detected are the most important variables for gauging life expectancy.

Q: How Long Do You Have to Be Exposed to Silica Dust to Develop Silicosis?

A: The time you have to be exposed to silica dust to develop silicosis varies, as it is possible for an individual to develop various types of this condition. Acute silicosis can develop very quickly within a short time, and accelerated silicosis takes a bit longer to develop with high amounts of exposure over a longer period of time. The most common form of this disease, chronic silicosis, can take many years, up to a decade in some cases, to cause noticeable symptoms.

Q: Is Silicosis Curable?

A: No, silicosis is not curable. This is an incurable lung disease that will greatly diminish the victim’s quality of life, causing symptoms that evolve over time and diminish their quality of life. Early detection can help the victim manage their symptoms more effectively with appropriate medications and therapeutic treatment, but ultimately, the disease will progress and cause further lung damage, disability, and eventually death.

Q: How Much Compensation Can I Claim for Silicosis?

A: The amount of compensation you could claim for silicosis will depend on several variables. It’s possible to file a workers’ compensation claim if you developed the condition from performing your job duties, but a toxic exposure lawsuit is likely to yield a more robust recovery. An experienced attorney can help you determine your most viable legal options for addressing this condition and maximizing your compensation through all available recovery channels.

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

A: The cost to hire a silicosis lawyer will be a percentage of your case award if you choose Wallace & Graham, P.A., to represent you. We have extensive experience handling these cases and offer contingency fee billing in silicosis lawsuits. This means that when we handle your case, you only pay a percentage of your case award as our fee, and only if we win your case. There is no fee if we are unable to obtain a recovery for you.

Wallace & Graham, P.A., has successfully assisted many past clients struggling with silicosis symptoms and knows that your situation can feel desperate. If you are unsure how to recover compensation for your condition, we can help. Whether you need to file a workers’ compensation claim, a toxic exposure lawsuit, or pursue various recovery options, we will do everything we can to maximize your recovery. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.