Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers who work for long periods are at risk of occupational lung diseases like pulmonary thermolysis. Prior to 2010, safety guidelines rarely required crews to wear protective masks, exposing workers to exhaust fumes and dangerous fumes from idling work engines.
Asbestos as well as diesel exhaust, and other workplace hazards can lead to interstitial lung disease. It can take a long time for symptoms to manifest and it is difficult to make an immediate link between work history and illness.
Asbestos
Asbestos is composed of naturally occurring minerals that are widely used in the construction industry due to their fire-resistant and corrosion-resistant properties. The exposure to asbestos fibers can increase the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer (a rare cancer that occurs in the protective linings of organs), and asbestosis. The symptoms of asbestos-related diseases typically take between 15 and 30 years to show up.
When asbestos is disturbed, the fibers break into tiny, elongated particles known as fibrils. These fibrils can be inhaled easily and can be lodged deep within the lung. If they cause irritation, lungs form scar tissue that makes breathing difficult. Exposure to long-term high levels of asbestos in the air can increase the risk of developing mesothelioma. It is a rare, but aggressive lung cancer that affects lining the lungs.
Asbestos has been banned, however railroad companies often challenge FELA claims made by railroad workers and their families because they knew that the substance could pose danger to their employees. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that many railroads were aware of the dangers of exposing workers to asbestos, even after learning that the substance caused mesothelioma, among other health issues. This could be a form of negligence which is what entitles railroad workers and their families to compensation. Call an Virginia railroad injury attorney today to learn more about filing an FELA lawsuit if you've been involved in trains before.
Diesel Exhaust
Diesel engines have replaced coal as the main power source for trains in America since the 1940s. Before that, trains utilized coal to produce toxic black soot which workers took in regularly.
railroad back injury settlements contain the mixture of combustible gases and ultrafine particulates. The chemicals in the gas portion of diesel exhaust change into a liquid or vapor form and then are carried through the air as tiny particles. The lungs inhale these particles and then cause irritation to the lung tissues over time.
This can lead to an ongoing lung condition known as railroad workers interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Additionally, exposure to diesel exhaust may increase the risk of COPD.
The fumes from diesel engines contains thousands of different chemicals, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. They also produce polycyclic Hydrocarbons, which can cause cancer. The particulate fraction of diesel exhaust is comprised of fine particles that could cause irritation and irritation to the lungs.
The toxins remain in the air despite the fact that diesel pollution has been drastically decreased by the use of catalytic convertors and cleaner fuels. They can contribute to the formation of ozone at ground level, which causes breathing problems for people and affects trees, crops, and vegetation. They also can cause acid rain, which damages the quality of water in lakes, streams and rivers.
Smoking
Smoking cigarettes is a significant cause of a variety of serious health problems. Smoking damages the tiny air sacs within the lungs, called alveoli. This decreases the lungs' capacity to absorb oxygen, making breathing difficult.
The interstitial lung disorder pulmonary fibrosis is a cause of scarring within the lungs that prevents them from supplying oxygen to the body. The condition can progress, and can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath as well as coughing, sneezing, and rubbing fingers and toes. If not treated, it could lead to death.
Railroad workers are at a high risk for interstitial lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, Emphysema, as well as COPD. In addition to diesel exhaust fumes, they may also be exposed to toxic asbestos fumes and asbestos materials at their job. These toxic exposures can lead to a number of health conditions, such as mesothelioma, cancer and other.
By ensuring union pacific settlements for their respiratory systems, railroads could have prevented the development of lung diseases that can be painful and can be fatal. union pacific settlements to provide this protection is negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act.
Other Exposures
Other conditions, like autoimmune disease and rheumatoid arthritis can lead to interstitial pulmonary disease. Certain medications can increase the chance of developing respiratory problems and pulmonary fibrosis. If you are employed in a job that involves working in rail yards, you're exposed to various hazards, including oil, chemicals and fumes. These exposures can lead to the condition silicosis, which is a scarring of the lung that is similar to asbestosis. If the condition gets worse it can cause right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale) because your heart has to perform more than usual to move blood through obstructed arteries. This can ultimately result in respiratory failure and death.