If you have been exposed to silica dust at work, you should take steps to prevent further exposure, seek medical attention, and report the unsafe conditions to your employer. You should also document your exposure and consider speaking with our silicosis attorneys about your legal rights. These actions are key if you work with engineered stone and quartz countertops, as breathing silica dust has been known to cause serious lung damage.
You may not experience symptoms immediately after exposure. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean your lungs haven’t been affected. Learning about what to do next can help protect your health and preserve your ability to seek compensation if you develop a silica-related illness.
Getting Medical Attention After Silica Exposure
One of the most important things you can do after being exposed to silica is to schedule a medical evaluation.
Silica exposure can lead to silicosis, a serious lung disease that causes permanent scarring. Symptoms may include things like persistent coughing as well as shortness of breath. Unfortunately, some workers don’t notice these symptoms until years after their exposure begins.
Ensure your healthcare provider knows about your work history and the specific kinds of materials you’ve handled. This information can help them determine whether you need additional testing, such as those for chest imaging and lung function.
At the end of the day, however, medical screening may still be appropriate depending on your exposure history regardless of whether you feel healthy at the moment.
Reporting Unsafe Silica Exposure at Work
Employers covered by federal workplace safety laws must follow regulations designed to limit silica exposure.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires covered employers to take appropriate protective measures when employees work around respirable crystalline silica.
These protections may include:
- Using water-based cutting methods to reduce airborne dust
- Providing appropriate respiratory protection when required
- Installing ventilation systems that help control dust exposure
- Offering medical surveillance to qualifying employees
If you believe your workplace is unsafe, report your concerns to your employer. You can also file a confidential safety complaint with OSHA. Federal law prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for exercising their workplace safety rights.
Protecting Your Right To File a Silicosis Lawsuit
If you develop silicosis after working with engineered stone, you may have grounds to pursue compensation.
However, establishing a connection between your illness and workplace exposure can require substantial evidence.
For this reason, consider keeping copies of the following:
- Medical records documenting your symptoms and diagnosis
- Employment records showing where you worked
- Information identifying the stone products you handled
- Photographs and videos showing workplace conditions, if you can obtain them lawfully
These materials may help our attorneys investigate whether a manufacturer and another party (or parties) bears legal responsibility for your illness.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Personal Injury Lawyer To Learn More
Exposure to silica dust can have serious consequences, particularly for workers who regularly fabricate engineered stone countertops. If you have developed silicosis or another silica-related illness in this context, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
Contact Meyers & Flowers today for a free consultation at (630) 576-9696. We have over 100 years of combined experience helping injured victims and will work just as hard for you from the beginning.