Silicosis is a very common occupational illness in the United States each year, and many people working in Illinois face the risk of silica dust exposure every day at work. If you have been diagnosed with silicosis, it’s vital to know your rights and the value of working with an experienced Illinois silicosis lawyer. The right attorney can help you build a strong toxic exposure case and claim compensation for your damages.

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The team at Wallace & Graham, P.A., has more than 40 years of experience handling all types of toxic exposure cases for clients in Illinois and many other states. We develop individualized legal strategies for each client, aiming to secure as much compensation as possible for their damages. We are fluent in the regulations set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and know how to determine when an employer has failed to meet them.
In Illinois, employers must not only follow OSHA regulations for silica dust in the workplace, but also the Illinois Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act. Illinois recognizes silicosis as an occupational disease, so it’s possible for you to claim workers’ compensation benefits if you have been diagnosed with this condition. However, you could have grounds to pursue a toxic exposure claim that can offer more substantial compensation.
Your Illinois silicosis lawyer at Wallace & Graham, P.A., can help you determine the breadth of the legal options available to you and build a strong case for you. Success with a toxic exposure claim could yield compensation for your economic and non-economic damages, but you need a skilled attorney on your side to have the greatest chance of reaching a positive outcome in your case.
The American Lung Association estimates that about 2.3 million US workers are exposed to silica dust at work each year, and of these workers, about two million are in the construction industry. Mining and any type of work involving engineered stone are also high-risk industries for silica dust exposure. Employers in these industries must follow applicable regulations to minimize silica dust exposure for their employees.
Over time, silica dust can accumulate in the lungs and cause silicosis to develop. Early symptoms can include persistent cough, shortness of breath, and increased susceptibility to respiratory infections. This condition cannot be cured; the symptoms will require careful management, and the victim may need to make various lifestyle changes, including changing their job.
When you hire a silicosis lawyer at Wallace & Graham, P.A., to represent you, we can carefully determine the most likely source of the silica dust exposure that caused your condition. Silicosis develops rapidly with repeated intense exposures to silica dust, which can help us narrow down the most likely sources of your exposure. Once we have determined the cause of your condition, we can explain your legal options.
You may have grounds to file a toxic exposure lawsuit against an employer who was negligent and/or failed to meet OSHA regulatory requirements. They could also be forced to stop operations until they meet all required regulations, which typically include regular air quality testing, installing specific engineering controls, and conducting medical surveillance for at-risk workers.
It’s also possible to have grounds to file a product liability suit against a manufacturer. For example, if an engineered stone manufacturer failed to prevent silica contamination in their products, they could be found liable for your toxic exposure. Ultimately, your case could be more complex than it appears at first, so it’s important that you reach out to Wallace & Graham, P.A., as quickly as possible to learn how we can assist you with your case.

A: Proving liability for silicosis in Illinois will require careful examination of your workplace and your employer’s compliance with OSHA regulations for silica dust. Your attorney may also examine the engineered stone products and/or safety equipment you handled at work to determine whether a product manufacturer is liable for your condition. You will need to prove liability before you can claim compensation with a toxic exposure lawsuit.
A: The amount of compensation you can claim for silicosis in Illinois will vary based on the specific details of your situation. You could have grounds to claim compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, lost future earning capacity, and the pain and suffering you experienced. Your Illinois silicosis lawyer at Wallace & Graham, P.A., will know how to maximize your compensation.
A: You should hire a silicosis lawyer because if an employer or product manufacturer is responsible for causing this disease, you will need a skilled attorney’s help to hold them accountable. Silicosis is a life-changing illness that can prevent you from working and require constant ongoing medical intervention. Your Illinois silicosis lawyer can be an invaluable asset for recovering compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.
A: The cost to hire an Illinois silicosis lawyer will be a percentage of your total case award if you choose Wallace & Graham, P.A., to represent you. Under our contingency fee policy, we only charge our client a fee if and when we win their case, and our fee is a percentage of the total recovered for them. If, for any reason, we cannot obtain compensation for you, there is no fee at all, so there is no risk in choosing our firm to represent you.
The team at Wallace & Graham, P.A., has decades of experience representing victims of workplace toxic exposure, and we know how devastating a silicosis diagnosis is for you and your family. Our goal is to help you prove liability for your condition and hold the at-fault party accountable for your damages. If you’re ready to discuss your legal options, contact us today and schedule your free consultation with an Illinois silicosis lawyer.