Silicosis Compensation Claims

The main symptoms of silicosis are: 

• A persistent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Tiredness.

The timeline varies significantly, with some people experiencing symptoms soon after exposure, while for others it takes much longer. It can often take up to 30 years for the symptoms to appear, which could be long after you have left the job where exposure took place.

Some people are initially diagnosed with work-related sarcoidosis, which causes similar lung condition symptoms. Clinicians often first diagnose sarcoidosis before a more definitive diagnosis of silicosis can be made.
 

You can be exposed to silica dust by breathing in microscopic crystals of silicon dioxide. These are released when working with certain materials, including stone, rock, sand, engineered stone, and concrete.

Exposure happens during everyday construction and manufacturing tasks, such as:

• Cutting, sawing, and grinding: Using tools on bricks, roof tiles, blocks, concrete
• Drilling and hammering: Boring into concrete walls, pavement, or rock
• Abrasive blasting: Cleaning or etching surfaces with sandblasting equipment
• Crushing and mining: Tunnelling, excavating, or quarrying quartz-rich earth and rock
• Dry sweeping: Cleaning up dust with brooms or compressed air hoses after performing a dusty task. 
   

Yes, silicosis can reduce your life expectancy, but it depends on the severity of your silicosis.

On average, people who are diagnosed with the disease will lose 11.6 years of their life. 

If you choose to make a compensation claim, we will make sure this is factored into your settlement.

Silicosis can lead to other serious health issues.

In severe cases, respiratory failure can occur, while in other cases, silicosis can lead to:

• Tuberculosis
• Lung cancer
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
• Kidney disease.

As the disease progresses, the symptoms can get gradually worse. You may find you can’t walk upstairs on your own anymore. Many people with silicosis end up housebound.  
 

Yes, you can make a silicosis claim on behalf of someone else.

You can do so if the person lacks the mental capacity to make their own claim.

If a loved one has passed away and you believe silicosis may have been a cause, our silicosis solicitors may be able to help.
 

The circumstances around each claim vary, so we can’t say exactly how long your claim will take.

Much of how long your claim will take depends on whether your former employer accepts blame for your condition. If they do accept responsibility and agree with the amount of compensation, we’ll be able to settle your claim quickly.

However, we will need to prove their responsibility if they won’t accept it, which can mean your claim will take longer. If your employer disputes the amount of compensation we are claiming for, we may need to initiate court proceedings. This is a last resort, but don’t worry, we will be with you every step of the way, no matter what it takes.
 

Various pieces of evidence can be submitted to support your silicosis claim.

Evidence we can use includes:

• Witness statements from former colleagues 
• Your medical records
• Your employment history to establish where you were exposed to silica dust
• Financial records to prove any costs you have incurred or income you have lost from silicosis
• Independent medical assessments, if needed
• Our Silica Dust Register, showing your work history.
   

Our silicosis team are part of the number one personal injury team in the UK*. We have helped thousands of individuals and families impacted by diseases such as silicosis.

We can help you if the exposure happened decades ago, even if it was at a company that has gone out of business. Every employer has a duty to protect employees, no matter the industry—we can help if you have been let down.

We work with several charities and support groups such as Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis, and can put you in touch with the right network for you.

Adrian Budgen, the head of our Asbestos and Occupational Disease team, received an OBE for his work over 35 years supporting clients.

*Based on Legal 500 ranking.