Is it possible to be diagnosed with a terminal illness at work? Work-related illnesses are more common than we would like to think, especially when an employee is inhaling silica or asbestos. The chemical compound of silica is an oxide of silicon. It is found in slate and quartz. If you are a worker, and you have been inhaling way too much silica, you can develop the lung disease silicosis.
Another deadly chemical is asbestos, which is resistant to heat and fire. It is used widely in construction and auto- motive industries including pipes, floor tiles, building material, vehicle brakes and clutches. A construction worker who has been exposed and inhaled asbestos dust fibers for a long period of time already has fibers that are trapped in their lungs. If not treated in time, they may carry symptoms of asbestosis, which are shortness of breath, coughing and permanent lung damage. The illness is an inflammatory condition of the lungs that can lead to eventual scarring of the lungs making it difficult to breathe.
In addition, the disease mesothelioma can be contracted through years of exposure to asbestos dust particles in the air, which affects the lining of the chest cavity and abdomen. Asbestos dust can penetrate into clothing, skin and hair. This is commonly found in construction workers who are unprotected and in contact with asbestos. For example, during the World Trade Center September 11th 2011 attack many workers contracted the asbestos disease through the North Tower because the walls were composed of asbestos.
These work-related illnesses can be life-threatening and can lead to developing other illnesses, which are not treatable including brain and head injuries, which consists of traumatic brain injury and penetrative injury. If you or a loved one has been affected by a workplace injury, you may want to speak to an experienced attorney, who can fight on your behalf and help you receive the justice you deserve.
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