Silicosis Symptoms
Silicosis Symptoms
Silicosis is most commonly diagnosed in people over the age of forty as it usually takes years of exposure before the effects of the gradually progressive lung damage becomes apparent. Damage to the lung tissue means that the lungs cannot perform their function of supplying oxygen to the blood as well as they should. The symptoms resulting from this include a cough, with or without sputum, shortness of breath particularly on exertion, and chest tightness. These symptoms of silicosis develop over time as the lung tissue becomes irreversibly damaged by fibrosis and is replaced with solid nodules of scar tissue. This gets getting worse as the lung damage increases.
In the most common form of silicosis, called chronic silicosis, these symptoms develop over many years of exposure. However, in the rarer form, called acute silicosis, the symptoms develop very quickly after only a short period of exposure to high levels of silica dust. In this acute form sufferers can sometimes die within a year. The damage suffered by the lungs leaves a person susceptible to lung infections. Smoking not only aggravates the symptoms of silicosis but also speeds up the progress of the disease. There is no cure for silicosis.
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Common Silicosis Symptoms:
- shortness of breath following physical exertion
- severe cough
- fatigue
- loss of appetite
- chest pains
- fever
- cyanosis (bluish skin)
- and others. (See your doctor and get diagnosed).
The crystalline silica is commonly found in sandstone, granite, slate, coal, and pure silica sand so people who work with these materials, as well as foundry workers, rock cutters, rock drillers and sandblasters are at high risk. Men tend to be affected more often than women since they are more likely to have been exposed to the silica.There are three types of silicosis, depending upon the airborne concentration of crystalline silica to which a worker has been exposed:
Chronic silicosis usually occurs after 10 or more years of overexposure.
Accelerated silicosis results from higher exposures and develops over 5-10 years.
Acute silicosis occurs where exposures are the highest and can cause symptoms to develop within in a few weeks or up to 5 years.
Classifications of Complete Spinal Cord Injuries
Paraplegia refers to paralysis of the lower half of the body, which typically affects both legs and sometimes the lower trunk. It often results from injuries to the thoracic or lumbar regions of the spinal cord. Common causes include motor vehicle accidents, truck accidents, rollover accidents, falls and workplace accidents. Persons suffering from paraplegia who lose mobility and sensation in the lower body may require the use of a wheelchair or other mobility aids for daily activities.
Paraplegia often results form injuries to the spinal cord at:
- Thoracic Spine (T1 through T12)
- Lumbar Spine (L1 through L5)
- Sacral Spine (S1 through S5)
If your paraplegia resulted from another party’s negligence, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim, or products liability lawsuit. Such a legal claim can seek compensation for your past and future medical and healthcare costs, pain and suffering, mental anguish, home modifications, nursing care, transportation / vehicle costs, your lost present, and future wages and often compensation to the affected spouse too.
Quadriplegia, also known as tetraplegia, is characterized by paralysis of all four limbs and the trunk. It typically results from injuries to the cervical region of the spinal cord, particularly the upper cervical vertebrae (C1, C2, C3, C4, & C5). Causes often include severe motor vehicle accidents, SUV and truck rollovers, gunshot wounds, falls from great heights and sports-related injuries. Quadriplegics experience significant loss of mobility and sensation throughout their body. They often require extensive medical care and assistance with daily activities.
Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit for quadriplegia can be complex due to the severity of the injury. However, if the injury resulted from another party’s negligence, you may be eligible for substantial compensation to cover medical expenses, past and future loss of income or wages, ongoing care, rehabilitation, handicapped vans, mental anguish, pain and suffering and home modifications and other losses. In many cases, the affected spouse will have a right to claim compensation and other damages.
Triplegia is a term used to describe the paralysis affecting three limbs often caused by a traumatic event. It is the paralysis of both legs and one arm or one leg and both arms.
Diplegia refers to the paralysis in both arms or both legs on the same side of the body. In cases of cerebral palsy, this neurological condition, diplegia often involves spasticity or motor impairment in the lower extremities of the person, while the upper extremities may be less affected.
Monoplegia involves the paralysis of a single limb, whether one arm or one leg. Monoplegia can have various causes, including stroke, nerve damage, or other neurological injuries affecting just one limb.
Hemiplegia is a term used to describe paralysis or severe weakness on one side of the body. It typically affects one arm and one leg on the same side. Hemiplegia is often caused strokes or certain types of brain injuries due to the disruption of blood to part of the brain, resulting in difficulty or inability to move one arm or leg on the same side of the body. Those with hemiplegia often can improve some function or use with extensive rehab and therapy.
Types of Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI)
Central Cord Syndrome is a type of damage or injury to the cervical region of the spinal cord and often results in more extensive impairment with the upper extremities than in the lower extremities. It is often associated with hyperextension injuries and is often caused in motor vehicle accidents (MVA), falls, and sports related activities.
Anterior Cord Syndrome involves injuries to the front or anterior part of the spinal cord that can result in impaired motor function and loss of pain and temperature sensation, while preserving touch and position sense. Trauma, surgical errors, and complications can cause anterior cord syndrome. There is also posterior cord syndrome is very rare condition involving similar sensations and awareness issues.
Brown-Sequard Syndrome results when there is damage to one side of the spinal cord. It leads to motor paralysis on one side of the body and sensory loss, loss of pain and temperature sensations on the other side. Brown-Sequard is often caused from stab wounds and gunshot wounds.
Conus Medullaris Syndrome results from injuries to the conus medullaris, the lower end of the spinal cord. It can cause a variable pattern of paralysis and sensory loss in the lower limbs and pelvic organs.
Legal Recourse for Silicosis Injuries
When silicosis results from workplace conditions, workers have the right to pursue legal action against employers or third parties responsible for their exposure. This may include filing workers’ compensation claims, personal injury lawsuits, or claims under occupational safety and health laws. Legal action can help recover costs for medical treatment, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related expenses.
No Fees or Expenses if No Recovery
Silicosis can have profound and lasting effects on a person’s life, and the path to recovery can be long and challenging. If your condition resulted from the negligence of another party, you may have the right to seek compensation for your medical costs, lost income, pain, suffering, and other damages through a silicosis injury lawsuit, which can encompass personal injury, product liability, or negligence claims.
At Silicosis Attorney, we are prepared to guide you through the legal process and vigorously advocate for your rights. Take the first step toward justice and recovery by contacting us today for a free consultation to discuss your silicosis case. You are not alone in this journey – we are here to support you every step of the way.
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