Railroad Negligence and COPD
Someone who has contracted COPD due to the negligence of railroad companies could be entitled to compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). The funds can be used to pay for hospital, therapeutic, and surgical treatments. It also covers expenses related to the loss of life or disability.
Colon cancer lawsuit settlements can assess your case to see whether you have the right to file an occupational illness claim.
Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos is a class of minerals that were once used to protect against fire property, corrosion resistance and insulation. When asbestos breaks down it releases fine fibers that can be breathed in. Inhaling these fibers can significantly increase the risk of developing lung cancer, mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer that grows in the lining of the lung and other organs) and asbestosis (scarring of lung tissue).
Railroad workers were exposed asbestos in their work at repair shops in track maintenance yards, repair shops and in the cabins of locomotive crews. They were also likely to carry asbestos-containing materials to their homes. Asbestos poses a serious health risk because when it breaks down, it releases toxins that can cause serious health problems.
A railroad conductor filed an action under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) against his former employer. The man claimed that decades spent in the cabs of diesel locomotives led to his debilitating asthma and COPD. He also claimed that he inhaled diesel exhaust and fumes, creosote, chemicals, dust dioxins, powders, sulfur smoke, degreasing agents and phosphoe every day, without protection. He suffered from serious health issues that made it difficult for him to work, and led to him incurring expenses in the form medical, hospital, and therapy expenses.
Diesel Exhaust
Railroad workers were exposed for years to toxic substances such as coal, solvents, and diesel exhaust. Numerous studies have linked lung diseases and cancer with exposure to long-term exposure.
Diesel exhaust contains various chemical compounds including carbon monoxide, particulates and hydrocarbons. It also produces Ozone at ground level which reduces visibility. Acid rain is also generated, which damages lakes and crops. It is introduced into the food chain via meat, fish and water. It can also trigger asthma and respiratory ailments, and worsen heart and lung conditions.
According to a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, individuals who worked in positions that required prolonged exposure diesel fumes were found to have an 2.5 percent higher COPD mortality rate than those who did not work in these occupations. Researchers employed proportional hazards to determine the incidence rates. They also adjusted for smoking status, calendar year as well as time off work in order to minimize bias due the effects of healthy worker survivors.
Exposure to diesel fumes could cause toxic encephalopathy. This condition is characterized as brain damage triggered by tiny amounts of chemicals. These chemicals can be absorbed into the bloodstream or absorbed by the skin. They then travel to the brain, where they can disrupt its normal functioning. Symptoms of this condition include memory loss and trouble concentration.
Smoke from Tobacco
If you were employed by the railroad, chances are you have been exposed to tobacco smoke. Inhaling smoke from environmental tobacco (ETS) can increase your risk of developing COPD. railroad injury settlement amounts is not just from smoking your own cigarettes, but as well inhaling smoke from else's cigarette, cigar or pipe. This is often referred to as passive smoking or secondhand smoke.
ETS contains toxic chemical compounds in particulates as well as gases. The poisonous brew may harm the respiratory system, heart and blood vessels. It may cause cancer as well as disrupt normal cell development. It can cause digestive issues that include stomach ulcers, as well as an inflammatory bowel disease. It can lead to osteoporosis by diminuting bone density. Multiple myeloma settlements can reduce wound healing and increase the risk of infection.
It can even make pregnancy dangerous for both mother and the fetus. Women who smoke or use products that are not tobacco-free during pregnancy have a higher risk of pregnancies with ectopic births, a potentially life-threatening issue in which the fertilized egg is attached to the uterus's outside. This could lead to premature birth or miscarriage.
In a study that was conducted recently, researchers discovered that railway workers who were exposed to diesel exhaust and tobacco smoke were significantly more susceptible to COPD symptoms than those who didn't work on railways. The study used information from death certificates, industrial hygiene surveys, and multiple imputation to determine the smoking history. This method reduces the effect of confounding factors that could have influenced the results.
The wrong diagnosis
Many railroad workers are diagnosed with obstructive lung disease (COPD) after years of breathing coal dust, diesel exhaust and other contaminants on the job. The long-term exposures may cause damage to the lungs and cause a variety of symptoms that might not show up until the later stages. Accurate diagnosis is vital so that patients can get treatment early to enhance their lives and even prolong it.
A delayed or incorrect diagnosis could affect the patient's health and result in other complications. A Philadelphia lawyer who has a wrong diagnosis will review your case and determine medical professionals who could be held accountable for their negligence. This includes doctors, nurses practitioner, physician assistants and technologists.
A recent study suggests that the guidelines for diagnosing COPD are faulty, leading in certain cases to a misdiagnosis. The researchers looked at the clinical notes and electronic health records of more than 200,000 patients. They found that doctors are knowingly overdiagnosing COPD and underestimating the frequency of the disease in their patients and underestimating the severity of symptoms.
Federal Employers Liability Act lawsuits can be used to hold employers accountable for exposing their employees to harmful chemicals that can cause lung diseases such as COPD and Mesothelioma. FELA allows railroad workers who have been injured to sue when the statute of limitation expires.