Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Long-term railroad workers are at risk of occupational lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis. Before 2010, safety regulations rarely required that workers wear masks. Workers were exposed to exhaust fumes, as well as hazardous fumes from idle engines.
Asbestos, diesel exhaust, and other workplace hazards can lead to interstitial lung disease. It typically takes years for symptoms to show so it can be difficult to draw any direct link between work-related health and disease.
Asbestos
Asbestos is comprised of minerals that naturally occur and are popular in the construction sector because of their fire retardant and corrosion resistant properties. Exposure to these microscopic fibers increases workers' chances of developing lung cancer, mesothelioma (a rare type of cancer that develops in the linings that protect organs) and asbestosis (scarring of the lungs). The signs of asbestos-related diseases may take up to 30 years to show up.
When asbestos fibers are agitated they break up into smaller fragments that are elongated and called fibrils. railroad back injury settlements can be breathed in easily and can be lodged deep within the lung. If they cause irritation, the lungs create scar tissues that make breathing difficult. Colon cancer lawsuit settlements -term exposure to high levels asbestos in the air can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. It is a rare, but aggressive lung cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
Asbestos is banned, but railroad companies still fight FELA claims made by railroad workers and their relatives because they knew asbestos was a danger. Multiple myeloma settlements is now banned however, railroad companies often fight FELA claims made by railroad employees and their families due to the fact that they knew that the material could be dangerous to employees. This could be considered to be negligence that entitles railroad workers and their families to compensation. Contact an Virginia railroad injury lawyer today to learn more about filing a FELA lawsuit if you've worked on trains in the past.
Diesel Exhaust
The diesel engine has replaced coal as the primary power source for trains in America since the 1940s. Prior to that, trains relied on coal to produce toxic black soot that people inhaled regularly.
Diesel exhaust fumes are a mix of gasses that are combustible and ultrafine particles. The chemicals present in diesel exhaust gas change from a gaseous type to liquid, vapor, or tiny particles. These particulates are inhaled by the lungs, which causes irritation to lung tissues over time.
This could lead to a lung condition that is chronically known as railroad workers' interstitial lung disease (ILD). Long-term exposure of diesel exhaust can also increase COPD risk.
Diesel engine exhaust contains hundreds of different chemicals such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. They also produce polycyclic Hydrocarbons, which are carcinogenic. The fine particles found in diesel exhaust may cause irritation to the lungs and cause inflammation.
The toxins are still present in the air, despite the fact that diesel pollution has been significantly decreased by the use of more environmentally friendly fuels and catalytic convertors. They can contribute to the formation of ozone at ground level, which causes breathing problems for people as well as damages crops, trees and plants. They can also cause acid rain, which affects the water quality of lakes, streams and rivers.
Smoking
Smoking is the leading cause of a variety of serious health problems. Smoking causes damage to the small air sacs within the lungs, called alveoli. This reduces the lungs' capacity to take in oxygen, making breathing more difficult.
The interstitial lung disorder pulmonary fibrosis is a cause of scarring within the lungs, preventing them from supplying oxygen to the body. The condition is progressive and can cause fatigue, shortness of breath as well as coughing and rubbing of the fingers and toes. If left untreated, it can lead to death.
Railroad workers are at an increased risk of developing lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, Emphysema, and COPD. They could also be exposed to asbestos-related toxic fumes and other workplace-related materials and diesel exhaust fumes. These toxic exposures can cause a variety of health conditions, including mesothelioma as well as cancer.
In providing adequate respiratory protection, railroad companies could have prevented the onset of lung diseases that are painful and can be fatal. Failure to do so is a breach of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
Other Exposures
There are other diseases that can cause interstitial pulmonary disease including rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Certain medications can increase the chance of developing respiratory issues and pulmonary the disease fibrosis. If you are employed in a job that involves working in rail yards, you're exposed to various hazards, including oil, chemicals and fumes. These exposures can cause silicosis, which is lung scarring similar to asbestosis. If the condition progresses, it can lead to right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale) as the heart has to perform harder than normal to pump blood through blocked arteries. This can ultimately result in respiratory failure and death.