Call us today for expert advice on silicosis and pneumoconiosis compensation claims. If your employer fails in their responsibility to provide you with a safe environment, working conditions and associated equipment and preventative mechanisms, then they may be liable to pay you damages. Lung conditions are diseases which certain types of workers may acquire while employed by employers who have failed to carry out and act upon health and safety assessments of plausible causes and aggravating circumstances contributing to these problems. Do not simply suffer in silence: exercise your legal rights and obtain the damages you deserve.
So exactly what is ‘miner’s lung’, 'black lung' and 'the dust' and what gives rise to silicosis and pneumoconiosis compensation claims? They are all different names for a condition in which the inhalation of dust causes the formation of nodules in the lungs. Fibres in certain substances which are inhaled act to irritate the lungs with adverse effects and nodular formation as a consequence. The substances in question include dust, asbestos, silica, talc, and particles derived from metals. Pneumoconiosis is an umbrella term for a range of more specific conditions. Silicosis is one of the most prominent variants, a type in which the inhalation of silica inflames and irritates the lungs, resulting in nodular formation in their upper lobes.
The disease has very unpleasant characteristics and side effects. The particles in the lungs collect and fibrous nodes form, eventually spreading so that elastic lung tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue. The sufferer becomes easily short of breath, begins wheezing and coughing, and may have difficulty in producing sputum. In particularly severe cases, other deeply nasty conditions may develop. The heart condition cor pulmonale may result and there is increased susceptibility to tuberculosis.
So which types of workers are vulnerable? Anyone who works with the types of substances that activates the disease is at risk. Those in mines, sand pits, and work with metal are particularly liable to suffer from the disease due to the increased plausibility they will inhale iron oxides such as rust, silicates such as rock dust, or carbonates such as coal dust.
If you are diagnosed with pneumoconiosis, including silicosis, then you have a legal right to compensation if your employer has not sufficiently assessed the risks involved in your work and installed appropriate mechanisms to minimise them. Ask yourself: when were safety checks last carried out? Have you been given adequate equipment and training to protect yourself from the dangerous substances that occur in your occupation? What else might have your employer done? Have other suffered from a similar problem?
All silicosis and pneumoconiosis compensation claims are dealt with using the no win no fee scheme and damages are paid in full. You pay nothing at any time. Your claim is totally risk free. If you would like to speak to a specialist solicitor you can either use the 24/7 helpline or complete the form or just email us. If after talking to us you decide not to take matters further then you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged for our advice.
