One of the lung diseases people visit no win no fee solicitors Bury about
is silicosis. This is caused when workers inhale silica dust. Its symptoms
include coughing, shortness of breath, rapid or difficult breathing, fatigue, chest pain and weight loss. The disease is incurable,
and can put sufferers at a significantly higher risk of a range of other
dangerous illnesses, including bronchitis, lung cancer, progressive massive
fibrosis and tuberculosis.
It used to be more commonplace in the UK, but is not commonly seen by
personal injury solicitors Bury any more. Despite this, it is the most common
occupational lung disease in the world, with the majority of cases occurring in
developing countries or heavy manufacturing countries.
Nonetheless, according to reports from the Industrial Injury DisablementBenefit scheme, 2008 saw 85 cases of silicosis in the UK, while 2007 saw 95.
Furthermore, 14 people in the country died from the condition in 2006, while 7
died in 2007.
Silicosis takes three main forms:
Simple chronic silicosis
This condition takes over 20 years to develop and is generally seen among
those who have experienced low-level silica dust exposure. In its early stages,
it leads to lack of breath and coughing, and sufferers often do not know they
are ill.
Accelerated silicosis
When people experience high levels of exposure to silica dust, they can
develop accelerated silicosis within five to ten years. While this is similar
to simple chronic silicosis, it poses a significantly higher risk of complications.
Acute silicosis
People exposed to very high levels of silica dust can develop acute
silicosis. This takes from just a few weeks to five years to develop, and its
risks are significantly higher than other forms of the condition. This form of
silicosis is significantly more likely to lead to death than other forms, and
no win no fee solicitors Bury can achieve higher payments for sufferers of this
condition.
Some of the occupations that pose a silicosis risk include:
-Sandblasting
-Quarrying
-Mining
-Foundry work
-Ceramic work
-Brick work
Employers in these sectors can reduce their likelihood of facing personal
injury solicitors Bury by providing their staff with personal protective
equipment. Respirators are incredibly important for people who work around
silica dust and are associated with a significant reduction in death rates.
If you have developed silicosis due to an employer's negligence, then
contact no win no fee solicitors Bury today!
Silicosis in Industrial Disease Claims