Certain industries have a higher risk of exposing workers to silica dust because the work involves cutting, grinding, pulverizing, or working with silica-containing materials such as rocks, concrete, brick, or drywall. Some examples of lines of work with an increased risk of silica exposure include: Construction jobs, including paving and masonry work Mining and quarrying […]
FAQs Category: Silica Dust
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), people can develop chronic diseases like silicosis after 15 to 20 years of occupational exposure to silica dust. However, exposure to very high concentrations of silica dust can cause silicosis and other similar diseases within a few weeks or months. OSHA regulations require construction companies to […]
Common early symptoms of illnesses caused by silica dust exposure include: Chronic cough Shortness of breath during light activity Quickly becoming fatigued Muscle weakness Chest tightness or discomfort Night sweats Unexplained weight loss
Although it usually takes years of occupational exposure for silica-related illnesses to develop, it can take several more years for an affected person to begin experiencing noticeable symptoms.
Employers can be financially responsible for employees who develop illnesses from silica dust exposure. In most cases, people who develop silica-related illnesses due to occupational exposure can file workers’ compensation claims to obtain coverage for their medical treatment and partial reimbursement of lost income if their disease impairs their ability to work.
Under the workers’ compensation system, employees who develop medical conditions from silica dust exposure may have the right to recover benefits that include: All reasonable and necessary medical treatment for the occupational illness Partial wage-replacement benefits that provide financial compensation for an employee who becomes temporarily or permanently unable to work due to an occupational […]
Workers exposed to silica dust at work can also expose their household members to the dust by carrying it home on work clothing, including when family members wash workers’ clothing in the laundry.
Our occupational illness lawyers can help by reviewing the facts of your silica dust exposure to determine the potential viability of a workers’ compensation or personal injury claim and document expenses or losses to recover in that claim. We are ready to review your situation in a free consultation now.
Under North Carolina law, a worker with a silica exposure claim typically has two (2) years from the date they receive a diagnosis linking their condition to occupational exposure, or from the date they should have known that their disease resulted from occupational exposure, to file for workers’ compensation benefits. The statute of limitations is […]