Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Long-term railroad workers are more susceptible to occupational lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis. Before 2010, safety regulations seldom required that workers wear masks. This exposed workers to exhaust fumes and dangerous fumes emitted by idle engines.
Asbestos exposure, diesel exhaust and many other workplace hazards can result in interstitial pulmonary disease. The symptoms can take years to be apparent and it is difficult to establish to establish a direct link made between work history and disease.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a mixture of naturally occurring minerals that are widely used in the construction industry for their fire retardant, corrosion resistant and insulation properties. The exposure to these tiny fibers increases workers' chances of developing lung cancer, mesothelioma (a rare form of cancer that develops within the protective linings of organs) and asbestosis (scarring of the lungs). Multiple myeloma settlements of an asbestos-related disease typically take 15 to 30 years to show.
When asbestos is disturbed fibers break down into tiny, elongated pieces known as fibrils. They can be inhaled easily and swell up inside the lungs. When they cause irritation, the lungs create scar tissue, which makes breathing difficult. Long-term exposure to high levels airborne asbestos increases the risk of developing mesothelioma. It is a rare, but aggressive lung cancer that affects lining the lungs.
Asbestos has been banned, but railroad companies still fight FELA claims brought by railroad employees and their family members, despite knowing the material was dangerous. Asbestos is now banned but railroad corporations often contest FELA claims filed by railroad workers and their families as they knew that the material could be harmful to employees. This could be negligence which is what entitles railroad workers and their families compensation. Contact a Virginia railroad injury lawyer today to find out more about filing an FELA lawsuit if you've been involved in trains before.
Diesel Exhaust
Since the 1940s the diesel engine has been the main source of power for trains in America. Before that, trains used coal to create harmful black soot that workers inhaled regularly.
Diesel exhaust fumes comprise a mixture of combustible gases and ultrafine particulates. The chemical compounds in the gas component of diesel exhaust change form into either a liquid or vapor which is then transported through the air as tiny particles. The lungs inhale these particles which cause irritation to lung tissues over time.
This could result in a chronic lung condition known as railroad workers interstitial lung disease (ILD). Long-term exposure of diesel exhaust can also increase the risk of COPD.
The fumes from diesel engines is a mixture of thousands of different chemicals which include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. railroad back injury settlements produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which are carcinogenic. The particulate component of diesel exhaust is composed of fine particles which can irritate and inflame the lungs.
The toxins remain in the air even though diesel pollution has been drastically reduced with the use clean fuels and catalytic convertors. They can cause ground level ozone which can cause breathing problems for people as well as damage crops, trees, and plants. They can also cause acid rainfall, which damages the water quality of streams, lakes, and rivers.
Smoking
Smoking is the main cause of many serious health problems. Smoking causes damage to the tiny air sacs inside the lungs, known as alveoli. This damages the lungs' ability to absorb oxygen, which makes breathing more difficult.
The interstitial lung disorder pulmonary fibrosis can cause scarring in the lungs, preventing them from supplying oxygen to the body. The condition progresses and often causes fatigue, breathlessness, coughing, and clubbing of the fingers and toes. Untreated, it can lead to death.
Railroad workers are at risk of being at risk of developing interstitial lung diseases like asthma, pulmonary fibrosis Emphysema, as well as COPD. They could also be exposed to asbestos-related toxic fumes and materials at their workplace as well as diesel exhaust fumes. union pacific settlements can lead to a number of health conditions, including mesothelioma and cancer.
Railroad companies could have prevented the tens of thousands or so of rail workers from suffering debilitating and fatal lung diseases such as the pulmonary fibrosis with the proper respiratory protection. Failure to do this is considered negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
Other Exposures
There are many other conditions that can lead to interstitial lung disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Certain medications can also increase the risk of developing pulmonary fibrosis and other respiratory conditions. There are many hazards, including oil, chemicals, and fumes, if you work in a rail yard. These exposures may cause the condition silicosis, which is a scarring of the lung that is similar to asbestosis. If the condition worsens it could lead to right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale) as your heart must work harder than usual to move blood through obstructed coronary arteries. This can ultimately cause respiratory failure and death.