How to claim for Silicosis

What is Silicosis?

Silicosis is a serious lung disease caused by inhaling tiny crystalline silica dust particles. Silica is a common mineral found in many types of rock, sand, and soil. When silica dust is inhaled, it can lodge deep in the lungs, causing inflammation and scarring. Over time, this scarring can make it difficult to breathe.

Claiming for Silicosis

If you have developed silicosis as a result of exposure to silica dust at work, you may be able to claim compensation from your employer or another responsible party. To make a successful claim, you must show that your employer was negligent in exposing you to silica dust.

Negligence means that your employer failed to take reasonable care to protect you from harm. This could include failing to provide you with proper safety equipment, failing to train you on how to work with silica dust safely, or failing to monitor the levels of silica dust in the workplace.

Even if the company you worked for no longer exists, you are still able to claim silicosis.

If you are considering claiming silicosis, you should speak to. Blackwater Law personal injury solicitors can provide free initial advice on your legal options and help you to make a successful claim.

Who is at risk from silicosis?

Silicosis is caused by inhaling silica dust, which is often found in raw materials used in construction and manufacturing. Therefore, silicosis can be more prevalent in particular professions. These include but are not limited to:

• Sand Blasting
• Mining
• Construction
• Demolition
• Glass Making
• Stone Masonry

Dangers of silicosis

Silicosis can cause several serious health problems, including:

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Chest pains
• Chronic fatigue
• Weight loss
• Blue discolouration of the lips (cyanosis)
• Respiratory failure
• Lung cancer
• Tuberculosis

Silicosis is a progressive disease, which means that it gets worse over time. There is no cure for silicosis, but treatment can help manage the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.

Facts and figures about silicosis

• The construction industry is the most common workplace where silicosis is found.
• According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), silicosis was responsible for the deaths of more than 500 construction workers in 2005.
• The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Respiratory Health published a report in January 2023 indicating that an estimated UK 600,000 workers are being exposed to silica dust and risk developing silicosis as a result.
• Silicosis ranks amongst the most common causes of occupational lung disease in the UK, alongside asthma.
• Silicosis is a preventable disease.

How to prevent silicosis

There are some things that can be done to prevent silicosis, including:

• Using dust suppression techniques to reduce the amount of silica dust in the workplace.
• Providing workers with proper safety equipment, such as respirators.
• Training workers on how to safely work with silica dust.
• Monitoring the levels of silica dust in the workplace.

If you are concerned about your exposure to silica dust, you should speak to your employer. Your employer is legally obligated to look after your health and safety, including protecting you against the risks of silicosis.