Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Long-term railroad workers are more susceptible to occupational lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrisis. Before 2010, safety regulations only rarely required that workers wear protective masks. Workers were exposed to exhaust fumes as well as hazardous fumes from idle engines.
Asbestos exposure, diesel exhaust and many other hazards at work can cause interstitial pulmonary disease. It can take a long time before symptoms begin to manifest which makes it difficult to draw a direct connection between the history of work and the disease.
Asbestos
Asbestos is made up of naturally occurring minerals which are popular in the construction sector due to their fire-resistant and corrosion resistant properties. Exposure to these microfibers increases the risk 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 illnesses can take up to 30 years to show up.
When asbestos fibers are disturbed they break into tiny particles that are elongated, known as fibrils. These fibrils can be breathed in easily and can be lodged deep within the lung. If they cause irritation the lungs form scar tissue that makes breathing difficult. union pacific settlements to long-term high levels of asbestos in the air can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. It is a rare, invasive lung cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
Asbestos is now banned from use, but railroad corporations frequently fight FELA claims made by railroad employees and their families because they knew that the material could pose a risk for employees. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that many railroads were aware of the dangers of exposing workers to asbestos, even after learning that asbestos could cause mesothelioma and other illnesses. This could be a form of negligence which is what entitles railroad workers and their families compensation. If you have worked on trains in the past, call an Virginia railroad injury lawyer today to learn more about filing an FELA claim.
Diesel Exhaust
Since the 1940s, diesel engines have been the primary source of power for trains in America. Before that, trains used coal to create toxic black soot, which workers took in regularly.
Diesel exhaust fumes are a mix of combustible gasses and ultrafine particles. railroad back injury settlements in the gas portion of diesel exhaust transform into either a liquid or vapor, then get carried through the air as tiny particles. These particles are absorbed through the lungs, causing irritation to lung tissue over time.
When this happens, it may result in a lung disease known as railroad worker's interstitial pulmonary disorder (ILD). In addition, exposure for a long time to diesel exhaust may increase the risk of COPD.
Diesel engine exhaust contains thousands of different chemicals like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. Colon cancer lawsuit settlements produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which can cause cancer. The particulate fraction of diesel exhaust consists of fine particles, which can irritate and inflame the lungs.
Although there has been a significant reduction in diesel emissions due to the use of cleaner fuels and catalytic converters, the toxic substances remain in the atmosphere. They can contribute to ground-level ozone that can cause breathing problems for people and cause damage to trees, crops, and other vegetation. They can also cause acid rain, which damages the water quality of streams, lakes and rivers.
Smoking
Smoking is the main cause of a variety of serious health problems. Smoking damages the tiny air sacs inside the lungs, called alveoli. This reduces the lungs' capacity to absorb oxygen, making breathing more difficult.
Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial lung disease caused by scarring of lung, which stops the lungs from supplying oxygen to the rest of the body. The condition is progressive, and can cause shortness of breath, fatigue and coughing. It can also cause a throbbing sensation in fingers and toes. If not treated, it may cause death.
Railroad workers are at an increased risk of developing interstitial lung diseases such as asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, and COPD. They could also be exposed to toxic asbestos fumes and other materials in their workplace, in addition to diesel exhaust fumes. These exposures to toxic substances can cause mesothelioma or cancer, among other health conditions.
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 constitutes negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act.
Other Exposures
Other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disease can lead to interstitial pulmonary disease. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing respiratory problems and pulmonary fibrosis. If you work working in a field that requires working in rail yards, you're exposed to many hazards including fumes, chemicals, and oil. The exposures could cause the condition silicosis, which is a scarring of the lung, similar to asbestosis. If the condition gets worse it can cause right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale) as your heart must perform harder than normal to pump blood through blocked arteries. This could lead to respiratory failure and eventually death.
