Dust Disease Compensation Claims
Prolonged exposure to asbestos, silica, dust, or fumes can cause significant injuries to a person’s lungs and the respiratory system. People exposed to asbestos dust or silica at work, or sometimes at home during a renovation, may not experience any symptoms for many years or a lot later in life. If you or your loved one have developed a disease as a result of exposure to asbestos dust or silica, you are entitled to make a compensation claim.
If you wish to discuss your potential claim for a dust disease, contact us at 1300 594 872 to speak with one of our lawyers who specialises in dust disease compensation.
Silica Related Illness
In recent years the most common dust disease has been silicosis which is caused by inhaling unsafe levels of silica dust, usually over many years. People who work with Silica Dust such as stonemasons or mine workers are likely to inhale the Silica Dust and once inside the lungs, the dust particles can scar the lungs. This scarring is called silicosis.
There are three kinds of silicosis: acute, chronic, and accelerated.
Acute silicosis causes symptoms such as inflammation, severe shortness of breath, and lowered blood oxygen levels when high levels of silica exposure occur over a short period.
Chronic silicosis develops after longer-term exposure to silica, causing difficulty breathing, and painful swelling in the lungs and lymph nodes.
Accelerated silicosis can develop more rapidly after moderate to high levels of exposure, causing lung scarring, trouble breathing, and inflammation
If you have worked in a dusty environment or as a stonemason and you are concerned about your exposure to silica dust, you should contact your doctor and get checked.
We also recommend that you contact us as soon as possible and speak to one of our specialist dust disease lawyers as soon as possible by calling us at 1300 594 872 or completing our inquiry form and a lawyer will be in touch with you.
Entitlements for a Dust Disease Claim
The compensation payable for a dust disease claim will depend on your situation, the medical evidence available, and the severity of your diagnosis.
Generally, considering the Workers Compensation Laws for Dust Disease, a claim for a dust disease will often include compensation for the following:
- Loss of Income
- Medical Treatment Expenses
- Care and Domestic Assistance
- Pain and Suffering
How long will the claim take
Depending on your diagnosis and the severity of your condition, your claim can be can take a few months or one to two years from start to finish. However, it is extremely important to seek legal advice from a dust disease lawyer.
