Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Long-term railroad workers are at risk for occupational lung diseases like pulmonary and fibrosis. Prior to 2010, safety rules rarely required crews to wear protective masks and exposed workers to exhaust fumes as well as dangerous fumes that come from idle engines.
Asbestos, diesel exhaust, and other workplace hazards can cause interstitial lung disease. The symptoms can take decades to be apparent and it is difficult to establish a direct link to be established between work history and the illness.
Asbestos
Asbestos is comprised of naturally occurring minerals which are widely used in the construction industry due to their fire-resistant as well as their corrosion resistant and insulation properties. Exposure to asbestos fibers increases the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer (a rare cancer that develops in the protective linings of organs) as well as asbestosis. The signs of asbestos-related illnesses can take as long as 30 years to appear.
When asbestos is disturbed, the fibers break into tiny, elongated pieces called fibrils. These fibrils can be breathed in easily and can be lodged deep within the lungs. When they cause irritation, the lungs develop scar tissue, which makes breathing difficult. The exposure to high levels of asbestos that is in the air over long periods of time also increases the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is rare and aggressive type of lung cancer that affects the lining of the lung.
Asbestos has been banned from use, however railroad companies often challenge FELA claims made by railroad employees and their families, as they knew that the substance could pose a risk for employees. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that many railroads knew they were exposing workers to asbestos even after they realized that asbestos could cause mesothelioma, among other health issues. This could be considered to be negligence that entitles railroad workers and their families to compensation. If you worked on trains in the past, contact a Virginia railroad injury lawyer today for more details about filing an FELA claim.
Diesel Exhaust
Since the 1940s, diesel engines have been the primary source of power for trains in America. Prior to that, trains burned coal -that produced harmful black soot which workers were exposed to on a regular basis.
Diesel exhaust fumes contain a mixture of combustible gases and ultrafine particulates. The chemical compounds in diesel exhaust gas change from gaseous to a liquid, vapor or tiny particles. railroad injury settlement amounts inhale these particles which then irritate lung tissue over time.
If this happens, it may lead to a chronic lung condition known as railroad worker's interstitial respiratory disorder (ILD). Long-term exposure of diesel exhaust can increase the risk of COPD.
The diesel engine's smoke contains thousands of different chemicals, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. Multiple myeloma settlements produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which can cause cancer. The fine particles in diesel exhaust may cause irritation to the lung and cause inflammation.
While there has been a significant reduction in diesel pollution with the use of cleaner fuel and catalytic converters, the contaminants remain in the air. They can contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, which can cause breathing problems in people, and causes damage to trees, crops and vegetation. They can also cause acid rain, which harms the water quality of lakes, streams, and rivers.
Smoking
Smoking is the most significant cause of numerous serious health problems. It can affect the lungs through damaging the tiny air sacs, known as alveoli, that are found in the lungs. This damages the lungs' capacity to take in oxygen, which makes breathing more difficult.
Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial lung disorder characterized by scarring of the lung, which stops the lungs from providing oxygen to the rest of the body. The condition progresses, and can cause breathing problems, fatigue and coughing. It can also cause a throbbing sensation in fingers and toes. It could lead to death if not treated.
Railroad workers are at a higher risk of developing interstitial lung diseases, including asthma, COPD, and emphysema. In addition to diesel exhaust fumes, they could be exposed to asbestos-based toxic fumes and asbestos-related materials in their workplaces. These toxic exposures can cause mesothelioma or cancer, among other health conditions.
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 adequate respiratory protection. Failure to provide this protection is a breach of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
Other Exposures
Other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disease can also trigger interstitial pulmonary disease. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing pulmonary fibrosis as well as other respiratory ailments. If railroad back injury settlements work employed in a job that involves working in railway yards, you're exposed to a variety of hazards, including the fumes, chemicals and oil. The exposures can cause the condition silicosis, which causes scarring of the lungs similar to asbestosis. If the condition progresses it can cause right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale) as your heart must perform more than usual to pump blood through blocked arteries. This could lead to respiratory failure, or even death.