Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers have for a long time been at risk of developing occupational lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrisis. Before 2010, safety regulations rarely required crews wear protective masks. This exposed workers to exhaust fumes as well as dangerous fumes from idling engines.
Asbestos, diesel exhaust and other workplace hazards can lead to interstitial lung disease. The symptoms can take a long time to manifest which makes it difficult to establish an immediate connection to be established between work-related history and illness.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a mixture of minerals that are naturally occurring and are well-known in the construction industry for their fire-resistant as well as their corrosion resistant and insulation properties. Exposure to these fibers increases the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer (a rare cancer that develops in the linings that protect organs), and asbestosis. Symptoms of an asbestos-related disease typically take between 15 and 30 years to show up.
When asbestos fibers are agitated they split into small, elongated particles known as fibrils. They can easily be inhaled and then lodged deep inside the lungs. When they cause irritation, the lungs create scar tissues that make breathing difficult. Exposure to high levels of asbestos from the air over a long period of time also increases the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is rare and deadly type of lung cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
union pacific settlements has been banned, but railroad companies still fight FELA claims brought by railroad employees and their family members because they knew asbestos was a risk. Asbestos is banned now, but railroad corporations often defend FELA claims brought by railroad employees and their families since they knew that the substance could pose a risk to employees. Multiple myeloma settlements could be negligence which is what entitles railroad workers and their families to compensation. Contact an Virginia railroad injury attorney today to learn more about filing a FELA lawsuit if you've worked on 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 relied on coal to produce toxic black soot which workers breathed in regularly.
Diesel exhaust fumes comprise gasses that are combustible and ultrafine particles. The chemicals in diesel exhaust gas transform from a gaseous state to liquid, vapor or tiny particles. The lungs inhale these particles and then cause irritation to the lung tissue over time.
If this happens, it could result in a lung disease called railroad worker's interstitial respiratory disorder (ILD). Additionally, exposure to diesel exhaust may increase the risk of COPD.
The exhaust from diesel engines has a myriad of different chemicals including carbon monoxide nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. They also produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can cause cancer. The fine particles found in diesel exhaust may cause irritation to the lung and cause inflammation.
The toxins remain in the air despite the fact that diesel pollution has significantly reduced through the use of catalytic convertors and cleaner fuels. They can contribute to ground-level ozone that can cause breathing problems for humans and damage crops, trees, and plants. They can also cause acid rain, which can destroy water quality in streams, lakes and rivers.
Smoking
Smoking is the most significant cause of a variety of serious health conditions. It affects the lungs by harming the tiny air sacs known as alveoli, in the lungs. The lungs are less able to absorb oxygen. capacity to absorb oxygen, making breathing difficult.
Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial lung disease characterized by scarring of the lung tissue that blocks the lungs from supplying oxygen to the rest of the body. The condition is progressive and can cause breathing problems, fatigue, coughing and clubbing fingers and toes. If left untreated, it can lead to death.
Railroad workers are at a greater chance of developing interstitial lung disease, such as asthma, COPD, and emphysema. In addition to diesel exhaust fumes, they could also be exposed toxic asbestos fumes and asbestos materials at their job. These toxic exposures may cause mesothelioma or cancer in addition to other health conditions.
By ensuring adequate protection for their respiratory systems, railroads could have slowed the development of lung diseases that can be painful and can be fatal. Failure to do so constitutes negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act.
Other Exposures
There are other conditions that can cause interstitial pulmonary disease including rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Certain medicines can increase the chances of developing respiratory problems and pulmonary inflammation. If you're employed in a job that involves working in rail yards, you are exposed to a variety of hazards, including fumes, chemicals, and oil. Multiple myeloma settlements can cause silicosis, a condition that causes lung scarring similar to asbestosis. If the condition gets worse it can cause right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale) since your heart has to work harder than usual to move blood through blocked arteries. This could result in respiratory failure and eventually death.