Washington Silicosis Lawsuit

Silica is one of the main components of the Earth's crust, and it's extremely prevalent in our environment. While most would assume that such a substance would not be harmful, it can not only cause great damage to the human body, but it can also be deadly. The danger arises when silica crystals become airborne and inhaled, and for many, ingestion of these crystals proves over time to be fatal.

Below is an overview of the health problems related to silicosis. You'll find information regarding how the disease attacks the body, common symptoms of silicosis, how it's most often contracted, at-risk behaviors that can lead to this diagnosis and information regarding how you should proceed if you've been wrongfully exposed to this substance.

About Silicosis

Silicosis is actually a disease that's been documented in history as far back as the 16th Century, as people have been dealing with silica crystals in one form or another almost since the day that tools were invented. The basic problem that these crystals cause arises when someone inhales them, as they are not able to be broken down beyond their current form and cannot be expelled from the body when they penetrate the respiratory system.

When these crystals find their way around the nose and other defense mechanisms and into the lung tissue, they stay there and continue to create enormous problems. These crystals tend to attach to the lung's tissue and lead to such conditions as lung fibrosis, which is the harming of the lung's function because of scar tissue and emphysema, a condition that's most often associated with long-term, habitual tobacco smoking.

Silicosis is incurable and irreversible, and the disease can continue to progress even after exposure to silica crystals has ended. Silicosis also tends to progress quickly, although that does not mean that it's easy to diagnose. The symptoms of silicosis closely resemble other problems, and in past centuries it was often mistaken for tuberculosis.

Symptoms of Silicosis

Silicosis can vary in its form to some degree, but the symptoms remain relatively constant. Examples of these symptoms include:
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Persistent cough
  • Fever
  • Weight loss
  • Night sweats
  • Shortness of breath after exercising
  • Coughing up blood
  • Bluish tint to the nails, signifying heart problems
  • Sleeping problems
  • Chest pain
  • Hoarseness
  • Loss of appetite
As stated, these symptoms can often be confused with other, less serious health problems, thereby leading to missed diagnoses with alarming regularity.

How Silicosis is Contracted

Silicosis is only contracted in one way - by inhaling the silica crystals that become airborne because of drilling and/or disturbing sand and rock formations. Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of silica crystals aside from the consistency of their form is that once they become airborne, they can travel through the atmosphere for long distances and ultimately be inhaled by people who are nowhere near the original site where these crystals are churned into the air.

At-Risk Behaviors Associated with Silicosis

Since the cause of silicosis is well-defined and the manner in which silicosis begins in the body has also been discovered, there are specific behaviors and activities that tend to carry a high degree of risk of developing silicosis over a period of time that includes exposure to these silica crystals. These activities and occupations include:
  • Mining
  • Quarry work
  • Sand-blasting
  • Masonry
  • Sweeping
  • Foundry work
  • Construction site work
  • Glass and ceramic manufacture
In addition, given the crystals' ability to travel long distances, anyone who lives or works near job sites performing these sorts of functions could also be at risk.

Washington Silicosis Lawyer for a Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with silicosis, the struggle faced will be immense. Fighting through breathing problems is excruciatingly difficult, and as a result much focus is necessary to make sure that you can fight the necessary battles. In terms of holding those responsible for your exposure accountable, you need to contact the silicosis attorneys at Phillips Webster to schedule a free initial consultation so you can obtain the understanding you need of your legal rights and options.
 



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