Working underground comes with its share of risks. One of the more severe risks tunnel workers face is the development of silicosis, an irreversible and fatal pulmonary disease that affects thousands of tunnel workers, and workers in other industries, in South Carolina and throughout the United States.
What is Silicosis?
Silicosis is a disease common among mining workers. It can also be a danger if you work with pottery and clay products, metal products, and industrial chemicals. It is prevalent in the construction industry and in retail stores that carry products that produce silica dust.
The condition is caused by exposure to airborne silica particles leading to symptoms that can develop over weeks, months, or years. Early symptoms include bluish skin, coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and cyanosis. Because these symptoms are generic in nature, the disease often goes undiagnosed until it progresses into its later stages.
As the disease continues to develop symptoms can become more severe. These more severe symptoms include respiratory distress, respiratory failure, and even death. It can also increase the risk of developing lung cancer and fungal and bacterial infections.
Although silicosis is considered incurable, steps can be taken to slow down the disease’s progression. Measures can be made to relieve pain, and oxygen and steroids can be given to the patients to help them to breathe. Infections that develop in the lungs should be treated as necessary, and lung transplants can be carried to prolong the patient’s life.
If you or a loved one has developed silicosis while employed as a tunnel worker, you need to team up with a reliable South Carolina attorney.
The Dangers of Silica Dust Inhalation is No Secret
Over the years, many federal and non-federal organizations have warned of the dangers of silica dust inhalation. Because of this extensive knowledge, safety equipment should be provided to workers to prevent silicosis. However, many companies do not protect their workers against silica dust. Companies that do not adequately protect their workers must be held accountable and liable for any losses and damages incurred.
Beyond companies not providing adequate equipment to protect their workers from silica dust, there are other reasons they can be held accountable for the development of silicosis. This includes a lack of enforcement of regulations. If federal prevention measures are not enforced, this can result in a lawsuit against mining companies.
Companies can also be held responsible for unsafe permissible exposure. This can occur if current occupational standards for silica exposure are inadequate to prevent the condition.
Filing a South Carolina Silica Lawsuit
If you live in South Carolina and developed silicosis as a result of an occupational hazard, you are entitled to compensation. Lawsuits can be filed by workers and family members of workers who experienced serious lung problems due to job site silica dust exposure. However, specific time limits may apply when filing a silica lawsuit, so be sure to talk to a legal professional to determine if you are eligible. The majority of those who have developed silicosis as a result of job-related exposure will fall within those limits if they act promptly.
Silica lawsuits can be filed against companies that did not take proper precautions to prevent workers from contracting silicosis, and they can also be filed if those same companies are denying their employees workers comp for their losses and expenses.
Filing a silicosis lawsuit is the best way to be fairly compensated for your medical expenses, loss of work, emotional suffering and whatever other losses or costs you may have incurred as a result of contracting the disease. It is also a powerful way to draw attention to the issues regarding unsafe health conditions in mining facilities and pressure large companies to take silica dust precautions seriously.
It is also important to note that silicosis lawsuits are not class action lawsuits. Each plaintiff’s situation is considered individually, and compensation will be based on each case and the degree of suffering incurred.
Finding the Right Lawyer for Your South Carolina Silica Lawsuit
If you are looking for a lawyer to represent you in South Carolina silica lawsuit, you want to find one that is sympathetic enough to understand your pain and experienced and aggressive enough to get you the compensation you deserve. That’s why you’ll want to go with Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers.
Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers has a team of experienced lawyers in an insurance claim denial, wrongful death, environmental law and other aspects of the legal field which gives them a strong background when it comes to representing you in a silica lawsuit. They are sensitive and caring, but they also have what it takes to see to it that justice is served. Moreover, best of all, they will never charge you fees unless you have been compensated for your losses.
If you or a loved one has contracted silicosis due to working conditions, call Jeffcoat Injury and Car Accident Lawyers first. Their level of knowledge will help you fight your South Carolina silica lawsuit so you can have one less thing on your plate to deal with!
