Birmingham Silicosis Lawyer

Alabama Silicosis Injury Attorney

Cory Watson Crowder & DeGaris is dedicated to helping those who have developed silicosis as a result of silica dust exposure. Our team of silicosis attorneys has the depth of experience to successfully represent you.

Our silicosis attorneys understand that silicosis is a preventable disease and that the irresponsibility of manufacturers, contractors, and employers often leads to workers developing silicosis. Our attorneys are determined to seek justice on behalf of those who have been exposed to toxic crystalline silica dust. If you have been exposed to silica dust in your profession, or if you have developed silicosis, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact Cory Watson Crowder & DeGaris silicosis attorneys today to find out more.

What is Silica?

Silica is a common mineral found in glass, granites, slate, flint, sandstone, coal, other metallic rocks, and even sand. It is one of the most common minerals known to man, second only to quartz. Silica is used to manufacture every day, ordinary products like tiles, concrete, and clay bricks. Silica dust is created when silica-containing rocks and building materials are cut or disturbed in a way that allows fine particles of silica dust to escape into the air.

An unknown amount of crystalline silica has been disturbed in mining, construction, grinding, milling, quarry work and other activities, making it possible for millions of people to inhale silica dust. Silica dust is the most common cause of occupational lung damage. In fact, inhaling silica dust, above Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) limits, can lead to a serious respiratory disease called silicosis.

What is Silicosis?

Silicosis disease is one of the world's oldest occupational diseases that belongs to a group of lung disorders called pneumoconiosis. It causes inflammation of the lung tissue that leads to scar tissue formation on the lungs, also known as nodules or lumps, which obstructs the flow of oxygen into the lungs and into the bloodstream. If the nodules grow too large, breathing becomes difficult and death may result. Individuals who develop silicosis have a higher risk of developing other serious conditions and diseases, including tuberculosis and lung cancer. Although we know what causes silicosis, there is no known cure for this disease. Silicosis still kills close to 300 Americans each year and many more worldwide.

As the oldest known occupational lung disease, silicosis had several names before it was finally identified and named in the 1930s. Silicosis is sometimes referred to as:

• Sandblasting Disease
• Potter’s Rot
• Grinder’s Rot
• Grinder’s Disease
• Grinder’s Asthma
• Stonemason’s Disease
• Mason’s Disease
• Miner’s Asthma
• Miner’s Phthisis
• Rock Tuberculosis
• Grit Consumption
• Dust Consumption

Are there Different Types of Silicosis?

Yes. Nearly 2 million American workers are regularly exposed to silica dust each year on the job in the United States. About 100,000 of these 2 million workers are expected to develop one of the following three types of silicosis:

• Chronic Silicosis:  usually develops after 10 or more years after initial exposure to silica at relatively low concentrations

• Accelerated Silicosis:  usually develops within 5 or 10 years after initial exposure to silica at relatively high concentrations

• Acute Silicosis: usually develop within a few weeks or up to 5 years after initial exposure to silica in extremely high concentrations

I have Lung Cancer and Worked Around Silica, Could I have a Claim?

Yes.  Many workers have been diagnosed with lung cancer and never knew that they also had silicosis. In fact, it is possible for silicosis to go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years or even forever. 

Who is At Risk for Developing Silicosis?

It is generally recognized that people working in the following industries have the greatest risk of being exposed to silica dust and developing silicosis:

• Sandblasters
• Stonecutters
• Stone crushers
• Rock drillers
• Miners
• Grinders
• Sanders
• Polishers
• Potters
• Brick masons
• Plumbing
• Painting
• Shipbuilders
• Welders
• Boiler Scalers
• Mechanics
• Millwrights
• Engineers
• Roof Bolter
• Steelworker
• Glass workers
• Ceramic workers
• Granite workers
• Tunnel workers
• Foundry workers
• Railroad workers
• Maritime Workers
• Aluminum Workers
• Construction workers
• Soap and Detergent Workers
• Oven Operators
• Furnace Operators
• Machine Operators
• Equipment Operators
• Sand Mold Shakeout

Bystanders are also at risk, since anyone who inhales silica dust from materials containing silica are at risk of developing silicosis.

What are the Warning Signs and Symptoms of Silicosis?

Early stages of silicosis may go unnoticed for months or even years. However, the symptoms typically associated with silicosis include:

• Chronic dry cough
• Shortness of breath with exercise

Progression of silicosis may lead to loss of appetite, weight loss, severe difficulty breathing, chest pains, respiratory failure, and even death. Medical evaluations of silicosis victims usually show the lungs to be filled with silica crystals.

Silicosis can make a person more susceptible to infectious diseases of the lungs, such as tuberculosis. Often victims may also develop or even be diagnosed with lung cancer or pulmonary fibrosis. 

Why are Silicosis Sufferers Entitled to Compensation?

If a worker develops silicosis because a silica-based product he used in his work, such as sandblasting compounds, did not meet industry or government safety standards, he may be able to bring a product liability claim and hold the manufacturer liable for his injury. Other product liability lawsuits may claim that the manufacturer's equipment, such as mining equipment, did not perform adequately and therefore resulted in the worker's exposure to silica dust.

Who Can File a Silicosis Lawsuit?

Anyone who has developed silicosis through exposure to silica dust can file a silicosis lawsuit. If your loved one or family member has passed away but was diagnosed with silicosis, you may be able to file suit on behalf of their estate.

I Can’t Afford to Pay an Attorney, Can You Still Help Me?

Yes. When you hire Cory Watson Crowder & DeGaris to represent you with your silica claim you will have no out-of-pocket costs or expenses.  Our firm handles cases on a “contingency fee” basis. This means that you do not pay legal fees or expenses unless and until we get compensation for you. If we do not get compensation for you, we do not get paid for our legal services.  If we do, then we receive our legal fee as a percentage of your total recovery and are reimbursed court costs and litigation expenses. This way, our clients can receive the excellent legal representation they deserve without the worry of how they will be able to afford it.

I Don’t Live in Alabama. Can You Still Help Me?

Yes, Cory Watson serves silica and silicosis victims throughout the United States. Simply contact us today for FREE consultation and evaluation.

	FREE CONSULTATION	{ details }

If you have developed silicosis as a result of silica dust exposure, it’s easy to get the help you need—the Birmingham Silicosis injury lawyers at Cory Watson Crowder & DeGaris are ready to fight for you. Contact silica@cwcd.com immediately. You can also pick up the phone and call us at (800) 852-6299 or fill out our free online consultation form.

As a leading national injury law firm, we serve clients throughout the country as well as locally, including Birmingham, Blount, Jefferson, Shelby, Tuscaloosa, and Walker counties. It takes just minutes to fill out the brief form and the initial conversation is free.