Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers have long been at risk of suffering occupational lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis. Before 2010, safety regulations rarely required crews wear protective masks. This exposed workers to exhaust fumes and hazardous fumes from idle engines.
Asbestos, diesel exhaust, and other workplace hazards can cause interstitial lung disease. It typically takes years for the symptoms to appear so it can be difficult to establish any direct link between work-related health and illness.
Asbestos
Asbestos is one of the naturally occurring minerals that are popular in the construction industry due to its fire-resistant and corrosion-resistant properties as well as insulation properties. Exposure to these microscopic fibers increases the likelihood of workers developing lung cancer, mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer that grows in the protective linings of organs) and asbestosis (scarring of the lung). The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases generally take between 15 and 30 years to show.
When asbestos is disturbed the fibers split into tiny, elongated pieces known as fibrils. The fibrils can be inhaled easily and then lodged in the lungs. If they cause irritation the lungs form scar tissue that makes breathing difficult. Exposure to high levels of asbestos in the air for long periods of time can also increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. It is a rare and aggressive type of lung cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
Asbestos has been banned from use, however railroad corporations often fight FELA claims filed by railroad workers and their families because they knew that the material could pose a risk to their employees. Asbestos is now banned but railroad corporations often combat FELA claims made by railroad workers and their families since they knew that the substance could be hazardous to employees. Multiple myeloma settlements could be considered to be negligence, which entitles railroad employees and their families to compensation. Contact an Virginia railroad injury attorney today to find out more about filing an FELA lawsuit if you've worked on trains before.
Diesel Exhaust
Since the 1940s diesel engines have been the main source of power for trains in America. Before that, trains utilized coal to produce toxic black soot, which workers took in regularly.
Diesel exhaust fumes contain an assortment of combustible gasses and ultrafine particulates. The chemicals found in diesel exhaust gas change from gaseous to a liquid, vapor or tiny particles. These particles are absorbed through the lungs, causing irritation of lung tissue 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 the risk of COPD.
Diesel engine exhaust contains hundreds of different chemicals such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and carbon monoxide. They also produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which are carcinogenic. The particulate fraction of diesel exhaust consists of fine particles that could cause irritation and inflammation to the lungs.
The toxins remain in the air, regardless of the fact that diesel pollution has been drastically reduced through the use of more environmentally friendly fuels and catalytic convertors. They can contribute to ground-level ozone, which causes breathing problems in people and affects trees, crops, and vegetation. They also can cause acid rain that destroys the water quality in lakes, streams and rivers.
Multiple myeloma settlements is the main cause of a variety of serious health problems. Smoking damages the tiny air sacs within the lungs, called alveoli. railroad back injury settlements are damaged because of their capacity to take in oxygen, which makes breathing more difficult.
The interstitial lung disorder pulmonary fibrosis is a cause of scarring within the lungs, which prevents them from providing oxygen to the body. The condition is progressive, and can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath and coughing. Multiple myeloma settlements causes a lot of pain in the fingers and toes. If left untreated, it can lead to death.
Railroad workers are at an increased risk of developing interstitial lung diseases like asthma, pulmonary fibroids, Emphysema, as well as COPD. They are also exposed to toxic asbestos fumes and materials at their workplace and diesel exhaust fumes. These exposures to toxic substances can cause mesothelioma or cancer as well as other health issues.
Railroad companies could have prevented tens of thousands of rail workers from suffering debilitating and fatal lung diseases such as the pulmonary fibrosis with the proper respiratory protection. Failure to provide this protection is negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
Other Exposures
Other conditions, like autoimmune disease and rheumatoid arthritis, can also lead to interstitial pulmonary disease. Certain medicines can increase the chances of developing respiratory problems and pulmonary fibrosis. There are many hazards, such as oil, chemicals, and fumes, when you work in a rail yard. These exposures can lead to silicosis, which is lung scarring similar to asbestosis. If the condition gets worse it can cause right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale) as your heart must be more active than usual in order to move blood through blocked arteries. This could result in respiratory failure and death.