Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers have been for a long time at risk of developing occupational lung diseases, such as pulmonary and fibrosis. Before 2010, safety regulations only rarely required that workers wear masks. This exposed workers to exhaust fumes, as well as dangerous fumes emitted by idle engines.
Asbestos as well as diesel exhaust and other workplace hazards can lead to interstitial lung disease. The symptoms can take many years to manifest, making it difficult for an immediate connection to be established between work history and the illness.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a mixture of minerals that are naturally occurring and are widely used in the construction industry for their fire-resistant, corrosion resistant and insulation properties. Exposure to these fibers increases the risk of mesothelioma, lung cancer, (a rare cancer that occurs in the protective linings around organs) as well as asbestosis. The signs of an asbestos-related illness generally take between 15 and 30 years to manifest.
When asbestos fibers are disturbed they split into small fragments that are elongated and called fibrils. Colon cancer lawsuit settlements can be inhaled easily and swell up inside the lung. If they cause irritation, the lungs create scar tissues that make breathing difficult. Exposure to high levels of asbestos in the air for long periods of time can also increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is rare and deadly form of lung cancer that affects the lining of lungs.
Asbestos is banned, but railroad companies still fight FELA claims brought by railroad employees and their family members because they knew asbestos was a danger. The evidence from the past suggests that many railroads knew they were exposing workers to asbestos even after they learned that asbestos could cause mesothelioma and other health problems. This may constitute negligence, which entitles railroad employees and their families to compensation. Call a Virginia railroad injury attorney today to learn more about filing a FELA lawsuit if you've been involved in trains before.
Diesel Exhaust
The diesel engine has replaced coal as the main power source for trains in America since the 1940s. Prior to that, trains burned coal -that produced the toxic black smoke that workers regularly breathed in.
Colon cancer lawsuit settlements are a mix of gasses that are combustible and ultrafine particles. The chemicals present in the gas portion of diesel exhaust change to the form of vapor or liquid and then are carried through the air as tiny particles. These particles are breathed in by the lungs, causing irritation of lung tissue over time.
If this happens, it could result in a lung disease known as railroad worker's interstitial lung disorder (ILD). Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust could also increase the risk of developing COPD.
The smoke from diesel engines has a myriad of different chemicals, including carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. They also produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are carcinogenic. The particulate component of diesel exhaust is comprised of fine particles, which can irritate and inflame the lungs.
While there has been a significant reduction in diesel pollution due to the use of cleaner fuel and catalytic converters, the toxic substances remain in the atmosphere. They can cause the formation of ozone at ground level, which can cause breathing problems for people as well as cause damage to trees, crops, and the vegetation. They also can cause acid rain, which harms the water quality of streams, lakes, and rivers.
Smoking
Smoking is the most significant cause of numerous serious health conditions. Smoking causes damage to the small air sacs within the lungs, referred to as alveoli. The lungs are less able to absorb oxygen. capacity to absorb oxygen, making breathing difficult.
Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial lung disorder characterized by scarring of the lung tissue that blocks the lungs from providing oxygen to the rest of the body. The condition can progress, and can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, coughing and clubbing fingers and toes. It can cause death if left untreated.
Railroad workers are at a high risk for interstitial lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, Emphysema, as well as COPD. In addition to diesel exhaust fumes they could also be exposed toxic asbestos fumes and asbestos materials at their job. These exposures to toxic substances could lead to a variety of health issues, including mesothelioma and even cancer.
Railroad companies could have prevented the tens of thousands or so of rail workers from developing debilitating, fatal lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis by providing them with the proper respiratory protection. Failure to provide this protection is negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act.
Other Exposures
Other conditions, like the autoimmune disease rheumatoid and rheumatoi, can also lead to interstitial pulmonary disease. Certain medications can increase the chance of developing respiratory issues and pulmonary inflammation. If you are working in a field that requires working in railroad yards, you're exposed to various hazards, including the fumes, chemicals and oil. These exposures may cause the condition known as silicosis. It is a recurrence of the lung, similar to asbestosis. If the condition becomes worse, it may lead to right-sided cardiac failure (cor pulmonale) in which your heart will have to be more efficient in pumping blood through blocked arterial. Multiple myeloma settlements could result in respiratory failure and possibly death.