Asbestos, silica and dust disease lawyers

Exposure to asbestos dust or silica dust at work are the most common causes of dust-related illnesses we see. Prolonged exposure to other dusts, fumes or chemicals can also cause diseases later in life. 

If you've been diagnosed with any disease as a result of exposure at work, or have a pre-existing disease that was made worse, you could be eligible to make a claim for compensation.

You may also be able to make a claim if you were exposed at home (for example, exposed to asbestos dust while doing renovations), or if you were dependent on a person who has passed away from a dust-related disease. 

We help people make claims for a many different illnesses, commonly: 

• silicosis
• emphysema
• chronic bronchitis
• occupational asthma
• auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma
• asbestosis
• asbestos-related pleural disease
• mesothelioma
• cancers (lung, nasal, ovary, kidney, bladder, larynx)
• leukaemia
• non-hodgkin's lymphoma 
• pneumoconiosis
• black lung disease

If you've been exposed to a dangerous dust and suffer from a disease caused by this exposure, you may be eligible for compensation. This compensation can help relieve the financial burden, replace lost wages and loss of earning capacity and help with expenses for medical treatment and therapies. 

The process for making a claim for compensation differs between states, so it's important to get legal advice to understand your options. Maurice Blackburn is here to support you every step of the way. We can help you understand what options are available to you and to claim compensation. Get in touch today. 

The compensation you may receive depends on what state you live in and the law you're covered by. 

 If your dust disease claim is successful, you may be entitled to compensation for: 

• pain and reduction in life expectancy
• loss of earnings
• loss of amenity
• medical expenses
• in some cases, punitive damages

The compensation you may receive is usually awarded as a single lump sum payment.

As experts in dust disease litigation, we can help ensure you receive the highest possible compensation payment you’re entitled to.

Dust diseases are often latent-onset injuries, which means that they develop over a period of time following exposure. We often see symptoms develop years, and even decades, following first exposure.

Because of this, it typically doesn't matter how long ago you were exposed to be able to make a claim. However, time limitations to make a claim can apply once you have received a diagnosis. 

It's important to get legal advice as soon as possible to ensure you don't miss any crucial deadlines. Our team can advise you on any time limits that may apply in your case and guide you through the process of making a claim. Speak to one of our dust disease lawyers today about your options. 

We help people with dust disease claims on a No Win, No Fee basis, meaning you won't be charged our fees unless your claim is successful. Your first consultation is also obligation-free, so it costs nothing to know where you stand. Get in touch today.

If your employer has failed to provide safe working conditions, they may be liable for damages. In these cases, you may be eligible to claim for compensation through a workers' compensation scheme, or from a superannuation or insurance policy. 

What types of claims you may be able to make will depend on what state or territory you live in, and the circumstances of your dust exposure. Our team of expert dust disease lawyers will be able to help you understand what options are available to you. 

Yes, you can still make a claim. Smoking does not disqualify you from compensation for dust-related lung diseases. However, your eligibility will depend on medical evidence linking your illness to dust exposure, not smoking alone.