Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers who work for long periods are at risk of developing occupational lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis. Prior to 2010, safety guidelines rarely required crews to wear protective masks and exposed workers to exhaust fumes as well as dangerous fumes from idling work engines.
million settlement as well as diesel exhaust, and other workplace hazards may cause interstitial pulmonary disease. It typically takes years before symptoms begin to manifest, making it difficult to establish a direct connection between work history and illness.
Asbestos
Asbestos is made up of minerals that naturally occur and are popular in the construction sector due to their fire-resistant and corrosion-resistant properties. Exposure to these microscopic fibers increases workers' chances of developing lung cancer, mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer that develops in the protective linings of organs) and asbestosis (scarring of the lungs). The signs of an asbestos-related illness generally take between 15 and 30 years to manifest.
When asbestos fibers are disturbed they break up into smaller pieces that are elongated. These are known as fibrils. These can be easily inhaled and lodge deep within the lungs. When they cause irritation, the lungs create scar tissue that makes breathing difficult. Exposure to high levels of airborne asbestos over long periods of time also increases the chance of developing mesothelioma. This is a rare and deadly type of lung cancer that affects the lining of the lung.
Asbestos is now banned, however railroad companies frequently challenge FELA claims that are made by railroad workers and their families, as they knew that the substance could pose danger for employees. An increasing number of historical records suggest that many railroads knowingly exposed workers to asbestos, even after they had learned that asbestos could cause mesothelioma and other illnesses. This could be a form of negligence and therefore, railroad employees and their families compensation. Call an Virginia railroad injury lawyer today to learn more about filing an FELA lawsuit if you've been on trains before.
Diesel Exhaust
Since the 1940s the diesel engine has been the main source of power for trains in America. Before that, trains burned coal -- which produced toxic black soot that people were exposed to on a regular basis.
Diesel exhaust fumes consist of a mixture of combustible gases and ultrafine particulates. The chemical compounds in the gas component of diesel exhaust change into either a liquid or vapor which is then transported through the air as tiny particles. These particles are inhaled by the lungs, which causes irritation to lung tissue over time.
When this happens, it can lead to a chronic lung disease known as railroad worker's interstitial lung disorder (ILD). In addition, long-term exposure to diesel exhaust may increase the risk of developing COPD.
Diesel engine smoke contains thousands of different chemicals including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. They also produce polycyclic hydrocarbons that can cause cancer. The particulate fraction of diesel exhaust is comprised of fine particles that could cause irritation and inflammation of the lungs.
The toxins are still present in the air despite the fact that diesel pollution has been significantly reduced by the use of catalytic convertors and cleaner fuels. They can cause ground-level ozone, which causes breathing problems for people and damages crops, trees and vegetation. They can also cause acid rain, which affects the water quality of streams, lakes and rivers.
Smoking
Smoking is a major cause of a variety of serious health problems. Smoking damages the tiny air sacs in the lungs called alveoli. The lungs are damaged because of their ability to take in oxygen, which makes breathing more difficult.
Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial lung disorder caused by scarring of lung that prevents the lungs from supplying oxygen to the rest of the body. The condition is progressive and is often accompanied by shortness of breath, fatigue coughing, and the clubbing of the fingers and toes. It can even cause death if untreated.
Railroad workers are at a high risk for interstitial lung diseases such as asthma, pulmonary fibrosis Emphysema and COPD. They may also be exposed to toxic asbestos fumes and other workplace-related materials as well as diesel exhaust fumes. These toxic exposures can cause a variety of health conditions, including mesothelioma and cancer.
Railroad companies could have prevented the tens of thousands or so of rail workers from developing debilitating and deadly lung diseases such as the pulmonary fibrosis with adequate respiratory protection. Failure to do so is a breach of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
Other Exposures
Other conditions, such as autoimmune diseases and rheumatoid arthritis, can also lead to interstitial pulmonary disease. Certain medications can also increase the chance of developing pulmonary fibrosis as well as other respiratory conditions. There are many dangers, including oil chemicals, and fumes if you work in the rail yard. The exposures can cause the condition known as silicosis. It is a scarring of the lungs similar to asbestosis. If the condition continues to worsen it could lead to right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale) as the heart has to perform harder than normal to move blood through obstructed arterial. This could lead to respiratory failure, and even death.