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Silicosis Claims Lawyers

If you have been diagnosed with silicosis, lung cancer or any other silica related disease or condition, you may have a claim for compensation. Our team of silicosis lawyers can help you manoeuvre through the legalities of making a claim.

What is Silicosis?

Silicosis is the most common disease related to silica dust exposure. It is an incurable and progressive lung disease. There are different forms of silicosis depending on the severity of the disease, generally referred to as either simple silicosis or complicated fibrosis / progressive massive fibrosis (PMF).

Extremely high levels of silica are contained in engineered stone bench tops, commonly found in kitchens, and many stonemasons and other tradesmen who have been cutting and installing these bench tops are being diagnosed with silicosis. Miners, quarry workers, tunnel construction workers, demolition workers as well as workers in other industries can be exposed to silica dust in their work.

Our team of silicosis lawyers can help you manoeuvre through the legalities of making a claim.

Our Compensation Process

Starting a silicosis compensation claim with Turner Freeman, you’re guaranteed to receive compassion and professionalism from our lawyers. We try to take the legal stress out of your hands through 6 easy steps.

  1. Contact Turner Freeman

    Telephone Turner Freeman on 13 43 63 or fill in our online form. Tell us you have been diagnosed with silicosis due to workplace exposure and that you would like to speak to a lawyer.

  2. Our silicosis lawyers get in touch with you

    One of our lawyers will speak to you and arrange to see you at our office. If you cannot travel, the lawyer will visit you at home or in hospital.

  3. Relevant documentation recorded and collected

    Our lawyer will obtain all of the information from you necessary to run the claim including collecting medical records and other information relevant to your silicosis claim.

  4. Silicosis compensation entitlements discussed

    Once the medical records confirm you have been diagnosed with silicosis, we will discuss your compensation entitlements available to you.

  5. Our silicosis lawyers to prepare your claim

    If you proceed, your lawyer will prepare your silicosis claim, lodge the appropriate documentation to ensure the claim is successfully concluded. Your lawyer can also speed up the claim if your health is failing.

  6. Most compensation claims are settled before court trial

    We are with you throughout the entire process. We will keep you informed and updated at every stage so you always know where your claim is up to.

Silica Exposure

Exposure to silica dust can lead to serious health conditions such as lung cancer, silicosis, kidney disease and other serious diseases. Silica exposure generally occurs during workplace activities where silica is used in many products.

Silica is a natural mineral and can be found in rock, sand, stone, gravel and clay. The most common form is quartz. Silica dust is harmful when inhaled into your lungs and exposure should be avoided. Silica dust is 100 times smaller than a grain of sand and you can breathe it in without knowing it.

What activities exposes you to silica?

Activities that can expose you to silica include:

  • Concrete cutting and jack hammering
  • Masonry
  • Cutting brick
  • Cutting and drilling artificial stone like caeserstone
  • Sandblasting
  • Manufacturing of glass, ceramics, brick, concrete, tile, metal or machinery

Top occupations at risk of exposure to silica dust are engineers, construction workers, farmers and miners.

Symptoms of silicosis

Symptoms of silicosis include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • A persistent cough
  • Fatigue
  • Night sweats

It is highly recommended that if your occupation requires you to be exposed to silica dust, you get regular health check-ups.

Accelerated silicosis

Accelerated silicosis tends to result from very heavy and prolonged exposure to silica dust. It tends to develop earlier and progresses. Symptoms include a chronic cough and severe shortness of breath on exertion. 

Latency Period of the development of pleural plaques

The latency period between exposure to silica dust and development of silicosis is between 4-10 years.

Silicosis Compensation Claims

Silicosis compensation claims are available to those suffering from a silica related injury or disease under the workers’ compensation schemes for each Australian state.

Claims are also available against the manufacturers of engineered stone products as well as occupiers of industrial sites, including mines, where people have been exposed to silica dust.

Strict time limits apply to claims under the workers’ compensation schemes which must be followed. Time limits also apply in other jurisdictions and need to be considered.

Anyone who has been diagnosed with silicosis should seek legal advice regarding their individual circumstances and potential entitlements.

Frequently Asked Questions about Silicosis

How long can you live with silicosis?

Prognosis of silicosis can significantly vary and should be treated on a case-by-case basis. The outlook of sufferers with silicosis widely depend on the intensity of exposure and symptoms.

Can you recover from silicosis?

There is currently no known cure for silicosis but there are treatments that can slow down the progression of the disease.

Can silicosis be prevented?

All silica diseases, including silicosis, can be prevented with the use of effective controls and measures that significantly reduce the amount of silica dust in the workplace. If you have been diagnosed with silicosis or other diseases caused by silica dust exposure, contact our silicosis lawyers today.

Can silicosis kill you?

Silicosis can lead to death as it can severely damage your lungs, damaging lung tissue and restricting the amount of oxygen your lungs can transmit to your blood.

Do I have a claim for Silicosis?

If you have been diagnosed with silicosis or any other silica diseases due to silica exposure at work, you may have a claim. You can contact our trusted silicosis lawyers to help you investigate your claim.

How long does a silicosis compensation claim take?

A silicosis claim with Turner Freeman Lawyers can take between 3-6 months, however if your health is failing, we may be able to speed up the process.

Choose Turner Freeman Lawyers, Australia's trusted silicosis lawyers

Turner Freeman’s expert compensation lawyers will be able to advise you about your rights and what you are entitled to. Due to the progressive nature of silicosis, you may also be able to bring a claim through your superannuation for insurance benefits for total and permanent disablement or income protection. Our lawyers can assist you with this. 

If you have been diagnosed with silicosis or have been exposed to silica dust, contact one of our lawyers today. We have silicosis compensation lawyers located in:

QLDBrisbane, Logan, North Lakes, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Cairns.

NSWSydney, Parramatta, Campbelltown, Newcastle, Penrith, Wollongong, Windsor, Toronto, Norwest and Gloucester.

SAAdelaide and Whyalla.

WAPerth

We want to hear your story. Talk to us today

Our ‘No Win – No Fee‘ policy is available for silicosis claims and we offer home or hospital visits if you are too ill come to us.

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