Was I Exposed to Silicosis?

Silicosis is a disease caused by exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust. Crystalline silica is a basic component of soil, sand, granite, and most other rock types and is used as an abrasive blasting agent. Silicosis is a disabling, progressive, and often fatal lung disease. Silicosis has many effects on the body, such as lung cancer, bronchitis, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder. Another effect is that it increases susceptibility to Tuberculosis. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, scleroderma, a disease affecting the skin, blood vessels, joints, and skeletal muscles, can be an additional effect as well as possible renal disease. Symptoms of Silicosis are shortness of breath, possible fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, chest pain, dry, unproductive cough, and respiratory failure, which may eventually lead to death.

There are several sources of exposure to Silicosis, such as sandblasting for surface preparation, crushing and drilling rock concrete, masonry and concrete work, mining or tunneling, demolition work, and cement and asphalt paving manufacturing.

Exposure to silica dust most generally happens in the workplace, and symptoms may not become evident until several years after working in that environment. While various face masks have been produced in the past and workers probably wore them, it has become evident in many scenarios that the face mask and breathing protectors did not filter out enough of the silica. In addition, many workers are continuing to find their lung health deteriorating at a dangerous pace. It is a possibility that some of the masks may have been defective.

Certainly, individuals that have suffered such an injury as lung damage due to silica should purse information to determine if they have a personal injury or wrongful death case.

What Do I Do if I Think I Have Been Exposed to the Silica Substance?

Seeking medical assistance is the first step. Getting under the care of a proper physician for your lung ailment is crucial. The company that you worked for during your exposure is not generally going to seek you out to compensate you for your injury or loss of health. Therefore, seeking an expert personal injury attorney who understands silica exposure and lung disease is crucial.

There are many injury attorneys, but it is essential to find a personal injury attorney familiar with industrial safety requirements and has the technical background to understand your unique work environment. Zane T. Cagle has a safety management degree and specializes in working with injured victims and, in particular, victims that have suffered an inhalation injury.

If you have worked in a mining or tunneling area and have developed symptoms or been diagnosed with lung disease, call Zane T. Cagle of The Cagle Law Firm so that he may assist you. Your financial well-being and future demand that you take action by seeking legal counsel. The information consultation is free, and you are never charged an hourly fee to consult with Zane Cagle. Please call (314) 276-1681 today.