Silicosis Treatment

Silicosis is an incurable disease caused by silica dust exposure. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with this condition, it is natural to have lots of questions about silicosis treatment and the available medical options that can help you manage this disease. While it is ultimately incurable, proper medical care can help a victim maintain the highest quality of life and keep their symptoms manageable for as long as possible.

Silicosis Treatment Options

Silicosis treatment revolves around managing symptoms, maintaining the patient’s quality of life, and maximizing their life expectancy. This disease cannot be cured, unfortunately, and the effectiveness of treatment hinges on how early the disease is detected. It is vital to be alert for early warning signs of silicosis so the condition can be confirmed as quickly as possible. This generally enables the optimal outcomes for patients.

It is possible for silicosis to present as chronic, which is the most common form of the disease and the one that takes the longest to progress. It is also possible for the disease to be accelerated, usually as a result of longer-term high exposure to silica dust. Finally, acute silicosis can develop in a very short amount of time from consistently high exposure on a regular basis. The silicosis treatment options available range from symptom management with medication to surgery.

In extreme cases, lung transplant operations may be attempted. Silica dust cannot be removed from the lungs, and it will continue causing lung damage even if exposure stops. If the disease has progressed very rapidly, surgical treatment may be a viable option. Less serious forms of the disease will require symptom management. Victims may need to take medication every day, including rescue inhalers and other therapeutics.

Paying for Silicosis Treatment

If you have been diagnosed with silicosis, treatment is difficult and expensive, and you may wonder how you can afford the care you need to maintain a reasonable quality of life. If you developed this condition from work, a workers’ compensation claim through your employer may yield compensation for your medical expenses and limited repayment of your lost income if you are unable to work.

You are likely eligible to file a toxic exposure claim that can yield a far better recovery. Your attorney can help you determine whether a specific manufacturer or other entity is directly responsible for your silica dust exposure and hold them accountable for your damages. Success with a toxic exposure claim could yield compensation for immediate and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning power, and pain and suffering.

Silicosis treatment is crucial for managing symptoms and extending life expectancy, and every case is unique. Wallace & Graham, P.A., has years of experience handling these cases in many states and can help you determine your most viable legal options for securing compensation for silicosis treatment costs and other related damages. You have a limited time in which to pursue your recovery, so it’s important to reach out as quickly as possible after your diagnosis.

Silicosis Treatment FAQs

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

A: The life expectancy of a person with silicosis will depend on the stage of the disease. With early detection, the life expectancy for stage one silicosis is roughly 20 years. At stage two silicosis, life expectancy drops significantly to about 16 years. Stage three silicosis has the worst prognosis, with an average life expectancy of about seven years following detection. Chronic, accelerated, and acute silicosis all entail varying life expectancies.

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

A: The length of time you are exposed to silica dust can determine how fast you can develop silicosis and the severity of the disease, but there is no minimum level of exposure required to develop silicosis. It is possible to develop this disease from a single exposure, but most cases arise from repeated exposure over time. The rate at which the disease develops typically hinges on how often the victim was exposed and the severity of this repeated exposure.

Q: Can You Recover From Silicosis?

A: You cannot recover from silicosis. Unfortunately, this disease is incurable, and the optimal outcome for anyone diagnosed with silicosis will be symptom management, maintaining quality of life, and extending their life expectancy as much as possible. Generally, early detection leads to better outcomes. The sooner silicosis treatment begins, the more effective it will be for the victim; however, it is not possible to completely recover from this disease.

Q: Can I Sue for Silicosis?

A: It is possible to sue for silicosis if you can prove exactly when, where, and how you were exposed and prove that another party is directly responsible for your diagnosis. You may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim if you developed the condition by performing your job duties, but you also likely have grounds to file a toxic exposure claim that could yield a far more substantial recovery. Consult an attorney as quickly as possible to determine your legal options.

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

A: The cost to hire a silicosis lawyer will depend on the value of your case if you choose Wallace & Graham, P.A., to represent you. Our contingency fee policy means that you will only pay a percentage of the total compensation we recover for you as our fee if and when we win your case. If we are unable to secure compensation for you, you pay nothing, so there is no financial risk in choosing our firm to represent you.

Wallace & Graham, P.A., has helped many clients with silicosis claims, and we can put this experience to work for you. Silicosis treatment is expensive and difficult, and if another party is responsible for causing your condition, we can help you hold them accountable for the resulting damages. Contact our firm today to schedule a free consultation with an attorney and learn how we can assist you with your case.