Silica Lawyers - Silica Attorneys

There have been a huge number of cases related to silicosis and lung-related ailments as a result of prolonged exposure to silica. Workers working in sandblasting, quarrying and other industries using silica have been reported to be suffering from various lung fibrotic conditions. A silica lawyer can help a victim wade through the legal system and seek justice in the form of repayment of costs of medical treatments and punitive damages.

Silicosis

Silicosis is known to be the resultant of inhalation of crystalline silica. Silicosis is a disabling and non-reversible fibrotic condition of the lung. It is one of the oldest know occupational lung disease. The human body sends defense mechanisms known as macrophages to destroy the silica particles that have been inhaled. But these macrophages are themselves destroyed by the silica particles. Over a period of time, the lung tissue develops scarring or fibrosis. Silicosis refers to the scarring that occurs in the upper lobes of the lung. Increased scarring leads to difficulty in breathing and sometimes death. Cough, wheezing and repeated chest illnesses are the symptoms of this silica-related disease. This condition can be diagnosed by pulmonary function tests, chest x-rays and a history of occupational exposure to silica.

Workers in foundry, steel, sandblasting, refractory, construction, brick and stone industries have been exposed to high levels of respirable silica. Prolonged inhalation of silica leads to silica-related diseases such as Silicosis, lung cancer, lupus, schleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis. A study conducted by NIOSH in 1991 estimated that at least 1.7 million U.S. workers were potentially exposed to crystalline silica in a respirable form. The sandblasting industry has come in for a lot of flak since its workers are at risk of silicosis for the past 50 years. In 1949, the U.K. banned the use of crystalline silica sand as an abrasive agent. The NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) has recommended that there should be a replacement of sand by another abrasive agent.

Since 1968, occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica has been resulting in deaths. Nearly 200 –300 deaths occured during the period 1992 – 1995 as reported by NIOSH. The number of silicosis –related deaths had not reduced substantially during these 4 decades. In fact, there are an unknown number of undiagnosed and unreported deaths every year. These worker deaths were the result of tuberculosis (TB), lung cancer and scleroderma.

Most silicosis victims were exposed to airborne silica for extended periods of time during the course of their job. These victims were mainly from occupations that involve crushing, cutting or blasting rock. It has been observed by Silica lawyers that most patients suffering from Silicosis were in close contact with rock, sand or concrete without adequate protection against silicosis. Other than quarry workers, silica attorneys get clients who have been working in construction, ceramics, glass manufacturing and railroading.

A silica attorney specializes in handling cases arising out of silica exposure. A victim and his family will be able to get large six figure compensatory award for treatment, medical bills as well as pain and suffering. A silica attorney can help you determine the best course of action so as to collect the costs of treatment, lost wages and punitive damages.

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