Silicosis

Have you been exposed to dangerous silica dust?
Have you worked in dusty conditions without knowing what was in the dust?
Do you suffer physical symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, chest pains and loss of appetite?

If so, you may have silicosis, one of the oldest occupational diseases, or be at risk for developing silicosis. Silicosis has been known by many names, including dust consumption, stonemason's disease, miner's asthma and grinder's rot. Regardless of the name, the outcome can be disastrous – death or a debilitating life with painful shortness of breath.

Every breath of silica dust infiltrates the essential "air sacs" found in people’s lungs. Unaware of the health danger this dust presents, the sad truth is that many innocent workers have inhaled life-threatening silica dust without the benefit of protective safety devices.

The U.S. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) warned employers in 1974 that the use of sand in abrasive blasting should be eliminated. Yet many employers failed to take the necessary precautions to maintain a safe working environment. As a result, many persons now stricken with silicosis qualify for financial compensation from the companies that exposed them to life-threatening silica dust.

Contact the Trial Attorneys at The Ferraro Law Firm for a free case evaluation.

Did Your Job Put You At Risk?

Workers in America's largest industries - construction, manufacturing and mining - are at risk of developing silicosis, a painful, irreversible and sometimes fatal lung disease. Here are some of the most dangerous jobs in terms of silica dust exposure:

• Mining, quarrying, loading or hauling of silica sand
• Sand blasting of concrete
• Rock drilling, chipping or hammering
• Concrete or masonry demolition or grinding
• Dry sweeping or pressurized blowing of concrete or dust
• Glass manufacturing involving the unloading, storage or mixing of silica sand
• Metal preparation and pouring
• Workers manufacturing china or earthenware
• Cleaning fossil fuel furnaces or flues
• Hard rock metal mining (but not coal mining)
• Lead and copper smelting

Exposure to intense silica dust can trigger the disease in as little as a few weeks, although in many cases it takes more than 20 years for symptoms to appear. Over time, scar tissue begins to form as the body's normal healing process tries to protect the lungs against this harmful intruder. These scar tissue nodules interfere with the normal flow of oxygen into the lungs and the bloodstream. Scarring of the lungs is a telltale sign of silicosis. Physical symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, fatigue, chest pains and loss of appetite. The only way you can determine if you suffer from silicosis is to have a complete medical examination.

Learn more: Articles and Resource.

Our Firm

The lawyers at The Ferraro Law Firm have vigorously and successfully fought for the rights of workers since 1985. Based in Miami, Florida, our firm has won more than $500 million in compensation for our injured clients. We work with leading medical experts, scientists and engineers worldwide to help us build your case.

We represent victims of silicosis in Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut.

1-800-275-3332 | Miami 305-375-0111 | Fax 305-379-6222