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Although the two conditions are different, Silicosis and Asbestos share lots of similarities. Both are caused by the build up of inhaled dust particles as well as symptoms often don’t show until many years after initial exposure.
Tragically, they are both often fatal.
In Scotland, there are organisations that have been set up for asbestos related illnesses that can provide guidance and support to those with a silicosis diagnosis. They can help you understand your diagnosis fully and plan your next steps.
Asbestos Action
Asbestos Action is a Scottish charity working to assist sufferers of asbestos related diseases set up to provide practical support and advice. Asbestos Action are dedicated to supporting those who not only have an asbestos diagnosis, but also those who have been diagnosed with silicosis.
“Asbestos Action offer direct, practical and emotional support to those diagnosed with silicosis. With our help, you can receive advice on welfare and benefit checks, signposting to appropriate services as well as emotional support. We are a person-centred charity that invites those diagnosed with silicosis to get in touch to discuss your situation and how you wish to move forward. You will decide how little or how much advice and support you want from us. We are here for you.”
Clydebank Asbestos Group
Set up in 1992, the Clydebank Asbestos Group is a Scottish charity based in Glasgow and the west of Scotland. The charity is dedicated to helping those with asbestos related conditions and offers guidance to those who need it.
If you have been diagnosed with silicosis, the charity will help you understand your condition and offer practical advice.
"Clydebank Asbestos Group supports victims of silica related diseases and their carers to apply for their rightful benefits and to access civil damages. When people are first diagnosed they often don’t know that help is available and we want to change that to ensure that everybody receives the help, support and advice that they need, at the right time."
Legal Support
If you are diagnosed with silicosis or another silica dust related condition, you may be entitled to compensation. It is important that you seek legal advice as soon as possible.
Generally speaking, you have three years from the date of diagnosis to make a silicosis compensation claim. This date should be confirmed in your medical records so this is why it’s important to start the legal process as soon as you find out and not delay, even if you have little or no symptoms.
If your exposure to silica is continuing, then you also have three years from the last date you were exposed to the substance to pursue a claim against your most recent employer. Each employer who has exposed you to silica dust may have contributed to your development of silicosis, so a claim may also require to be brought against multiple companies.
Each employer who has exposed you to silica dust may have contributed to your development of silicosis, so a claim may also require to be brought against multiple companies. If the company you worked for no longer exists, you can still make a claim. The reason for this is simple – even though a company may no longer exist, the historic insurance policies it held should still be active.
For further details or assistance, please call us or complete the short form, and we'll get in touch with you.
Funding a claim
In Scotland, most personal injury claims, including silicosis claims and many asbestos related claims are funded through no win no fee agreements. This means that if the case is not successful, clients tend not to pay any expenses such as legal fees, costs for expert engineering and medical evidence and so on.
If the case does succeed, clients tend to pay a small success fee. The big advantage of these arrangements is there is no financial risk to the client as they won’t need to pay a penny in the event that the case is not successful.
About Digby Brown
Digby Brown Solicitors is widely recognised as Scotland’s most experienced firm dedicated to helping people affected by personal injury.
Its people are committed to providing holistic, bespoke and empathetic support to those who have been injured as a result of negligence and this includes industrial diseases like silicosis.
The firm has campaigned with charities like Asbestos Action and Clydebank Asbestos Group to remove barriers to justice, inspire change, improve lives and give back to communities.
For nearly 20 years Digby Brown has been top-ranked for Personal Injury by Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 – the independent assessors of the UK legal profession. In 2023 and 2024 the firm’s dedicated Industrial Disease team received a Band 1 ranking for Industrial Disease work (the sole Scottish-only firm to be recognised).
Visit Digby Brown to learn more about how this compassionate and expert legal team can help you or your loved one.
