Silicosis Compensation Claims

Silicosis is a rare lung condition caused by excessive exposure to certain kinds of dust, specifically the crystalline form of silicone dioxide, often found in the dust of rocks, clay and sand.

It's an occupational condition widely linked to people who have worked previously as miners or potters, and can be life changing to all those who fall victim to it. If you've suffered from silicosis because of work, our solicitors could help you claim compensation.

The following industries are particularly at risk:

Mining
Construction
Demolition
Pottery and ceramics
Glass manufacturing
Sand blasting
Stone masonry and cutting
Paving

Wherever you work, your employer has a duty of care to protect you from health and safety risks, and this includes exposure to silica dust. Our lawyers have pursued successful silicosis claims for workers and former workers in a variety of industries.

The main symptoms of silicosis are a persistent cough and shortness of breath, as well as weakness and tiredness. It can often take up to 20 to 30 years for the symptoms to appear, which could be long after you've left the job where exposure took place.

If you've been diagnosed with silicosis you should consider whether the condition might have been caused by a current or former working environment. You may be able to claim even if the exposure happened decades ago, and even if the company you worked for has since gone out of business.

Most of the claims we handle are on a No Win No Fee basis. This means that there's nothing for you to pay upfront, and that you won’t have to pay any legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful*.

Call us today on 0800 056 4110 or contact us online to arrange a free initial consultation about making a claim.

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Silicosis Claims - More Information

If I did not understand anything, I would just ask him to explain things and he would explain it all to me.”

Peter, client

Derek's Story

"While nothing can turn back the clock now, I'm glad it is settled so I can try and make the most of my life with my family." - Derek Barnes, client

"Employers and employees are still not aware of how to protect themselves from the dangers of silica dust and developing this devastating disease." - Alex Shorey, Associate

Frequently Asked Questions

How Should My Employer Have Protected Me From Work-Related Silicosis?

Silicosis is caused by exposure to dust, and should be preventable if employers follow best practice in their health and safety policies. The Health and Safety at Work Act states that your employer must protect you from any health risks in the workplace, and to minimise the danger of silicosis an employer should:

Advise you on what the hazards and risks are
Explain what the exposure limits are
Share any results of exposure monitoring
Provide respiratory protective equipment (RPE), such as masks and filters

RPE should be fit for purpose – simple face covers will be appropriate for some environments, but others may require full face masks and filters, and these need to be fitted correctly.

If you've not been provided with the right RPE, or you haven't been given enough training or information, then then your employer’s negligence could have put you at risk. If you’re unsure, then contact us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free consultation on your case.

What Are The Health Impacts Of Silicosis?

Silicosis is often difficult to diagnose because it can take up to 20 to 30 years for symptoms to develop in some cases, which may be years after you've stopped working in the environment that could have caused it. Left untreated, it can cause serious health problems.

The disease causes swelling in the lungs, and leads to areas of hardened and scarred lung tissue – this is called fibrosis. Damaged lung tissue doesn't function properly, and this causes coughing, weakness, tiredness, and a persistent shortness of breath.

Depending on how serious the condition is, these symptoms can get worse, which can make it difficult for those with silicosis to walk around, or even get out of bed. Particularly severe cases can tragically be fatal.

Although it's rare, silicosis can also increase your risk of other serious conditions, including:

Arthritis
Chest infections, including tuberculosis (TB)
Heart failure
Kidney disease
Lung conditions, including lung cancer and pulmonary issues

The damage caused to the lungs by silicosis is irreversible, but there are steps that can be taken to reduce health risks. The NHS advises that you should:

Make sure you're not exposed to any more silica dust
Stop smoking
Have annual flu jabs, pneumococcal vaccinations, and regular TB tests

Various medications can be used to help make breathing easier, and oxygen therapy is also an option for people who have particular difficulty breathing.

Helping you gain access to rehabilitation treatments that help you cope with your illness is an essential part of our service. Our dedication to making sure our clients get the medical support they need has seen us win the Claimant Solicitor of the Year award at the Post Magazine's Rehabilitation First Awards seven times.

If you have any more questions about how we can help you gain access to treatment, or any other aspect of the claims process, call us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free consultation.

Why Choose Irwin Mitchell For A Silicosis Compensation Claim?

We have an established track record in dealing with workplace illness claims of all kinds, including those involving respiratory problems such as silicosis, occupational asthma, and asbestos-related illnesses.

We believe that there is more to be done to protect workers from the risks of silica dust – and we have campaigned heavily for this over the last few years in addition to handling a number of silicosis compensation claims.

Claiming compensation from an employer can be a daunting prospect, so it’s important to have experienced lawyers on your side. We’ll handle every aspect of your case, offering advice in plain English and letting you know exactly what we need from you.

Because silicosis takes so long to develop in many cases, it's common for our clients' former employers to have gone out of business since they worked there. If this is the case, we'll track down their insurer, who will still be liable for your compensation.

We act on behalf of a number of trade unions, but we can still help you make a claim if you're not a member of one. Our solicitors specialise in helping people claim for work-related conditions, and want to make sure that you receive the best compensation possible, as well as the medical care that you need.

To find out more about how to claim for silicosis, and how we can help, call us today on 0800 056 4110 for a free initial consultation about your claim.

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Silicosis Compensation Claims

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Silicosis Claims - More Information

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The Company Is Now Out Of Business, Can I Still Claim?

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