Silicosis Lawyers
Exposed to silica?
Silicosis Solicitors
Exposed to silica?
Exposure to silica can result in a number of health conditions. The most prevalent condition is silicosis, a permanent and progressive lung disease caused by the inhalation of crystalline silica.
Have you been exposed to any dust, fumes, or chemicals at work?
Take our free claim check today to see if you’re eligible for compensation, or call us to talk to us today.
Silicosis has been linked to an increased risk of developing conditions such as lung cancer, kidney disease, autoimmune disease, tuberculosis, bronchitis and emphysema. The increased use of artificial stone products containing higher concentrations of crystalline silica over marble and granite for benchtops has contributed to a rise of workers developing silicosis.
Silica, also known as ‘silicon dioxide’, is a natural mineral that is present in most rocks, gravel, sand and clay. Crystalline silica, also known as ‘free silica’ is most commonly found in quartz and can also be found in cristobalite and tridymite. Exposure to breathable crystalline silica can occur through activities including:
- The excavation, moving and drilling of earth
- Mining
- Paving and surfacing
- Construction activities
- The blasting, cutting, grinding, chipping, sanding, drilling, polishing, assembly and installation of natural and manufactured stone products such as benchtops and tombstones; and
- The manufacture of asphalt, cement, bricks, china, ceramics, glass and even adhesives, paints, soaps and abrasives.
Silicosis is preventable through the establishment of workplace measures that reduce dust and thereby limit exposure, however once silicosis has been diagnosed there is no cure; instead treatments are focused on managing the symptoms.
If you have been diagnosed with silicosis and there is a connection between your condition and the nature of your employment, you may be entitled to claim compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Medical and related expenses
- Loss of income
In June 2021, two new diseases, lung cancer with silicosis and scleroderma with silicosis, were added to Victoria’s list of proclaimed diseases. This means where a worker is or was exposed to silica dust at work in connection with manufacturing or other processes involving exposure to the inhalation of silica dust and has been diagnosed with either of these listed diseases, these diseases will now be automatically deemed to have been caused by the nature of the worker’s employment unless WorkSafe or a self-insurer proves that the disease was not due to employment. Previously the list of proclaimed diseases included ‘silicosis with or without pulmonary tuberculosis’, where the worker has been engaged in any manufacturing or other processes involving exposure to the inhalation of silica dust. Workers or their dependants may retrospectively submit a new claim for these diseases suffered since Victoria’s workplace injury compensation scheme commenced in 1985.
Our team are experts in occupational diseases and have seen how traumatic the effects of silicosis can be on not just the person affected but their family and friends. Our aim is to take away the financial stress that comes with making a claim, which is why we offer our service on a ‘No Win, No Fee’ basis. This means if your claim isn’t successful you don’t pay.
If you think you might be at risk or have been exposed to silica during the course of your employment, our expert Silicosis team will sit down with you and advise you of your rights and the best possible legal path for you to take. Contact us today for an obligation-free appointment.
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Zaparas Lawyers was recognised and awarded as
leading Asbestos & Dust Disease Lawyers in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
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FAQs
- The excavation, moving and drilling of earth;
- Mining;
- Paving and surfacing;
- Construction activities;
- The blasting, cutting, grinding, chipping, sanding, drilling, polishing, assembly and installation of natural and manufactured stone products such as benchtops and tombstones; and
- The manufacture of asphalt, cement, bricks, china, ceramics, glass and even adhesives, paints, soaps and abrasives.
- Acute: Acute silicosis can occur after a few months or a few years depending on the level and duration of exposure to high concentrations of crystalline silica. Acute silicosis tends to occur where a worker was exposed to crystalline silica in a confined space and was not wearing respiratory protection.
- Accelerated: Accelerated silicosis occurs after approximately five to 10 years of high exposure to dust containing crystalline silica.
- Chronic: chronic silicosis is the most common form of silicosis and occurs after approximately 10-30 years of moderate to low exposure to dust containing crystalline silica. Symptoms may not be obvious until the later stages of the disease and may include fatigue, shortness of breath or respiratory failure.
- Total and Permanent Disablement or Permanent Incapacity claims within your Superannuation Scheme;
- Income Protection Claim; and
- Incolink.
- Reasonable medical and like services;
- Burial or cremation costs;
- Family counselling;
- Reasonable travel or accommodation expenses occurred by family members may be covered where:
- Death results from the injury
- A burial service or cremation service is held in respect of the worker
- The service is held at least 100KM from the normal residence of the worker’s family members and
- The travelling or accommodation expenses are incurred within Australia
- Lump sum dependency payment; and
- Weekly pension for dependent partner/s, child/ren and orphans
- Reimbursement of expenses for non-dependent family members.
- within two years of the death of the worker or
- if claiming for expenses for medical and like services provided to the worker, burial or cremation or family counselling, within six months of the date of the relevant service.
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Easier and faster access to WorkCover Entitlements for those workers exposed to Silica
If you are or were exposed to respirable silica dust at work and have been diagnosed with silicosis with or without lung cancer and/or scleroderma you may be automatically entitled to WorkCover entitlements.