Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers have for a long time been at risk of suffering occupational lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibrosis. Prior to 2010, safety guidelines did not require workers to wear protective masks that exposed workers to exhaust fumes as well as dangerous fumes that come from idle engines.
Asbestos exposure as well as diesel exhaust, and other workplace hazards can cause interstitial pulmonary disease. It typically takes years for symptoms to manifest, making it difficult to draw an exact link between the work environment and disease.
Asbestos
Asbestos is composed of minerals that naturally occur and are well-known in the construction industry due to their fire-resistant and corrosion-resistant properties. The exposure to these tiny fibers increases workers' chances of developing lung cancer mesothelioma (a rare type of cancer that develops in the protective linings of organs) and asbestosis (scarring of the lung). The symptoms of asbestos-related ailments can take as long as 30 years to manifest.
When asbestos is disturbed the fibers separate into tiny, elongated particles called fibrils. They can be inhaled easily and then lodged in the lung. If they cause irritation the lungs form scar tissue that makes breathing difficult. Long-term exposure to high levels asbestos particles in the air increases the risk of developing mesothelioma. This is a rare and aggressive lung cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
railroad injury settlement amounts has been banned, however, railroad corporations continue to fight FELA claims brought by railroad workers and family members due to the fact that they knew the substance was hazardous. Asbestos is now banned but railroad corporations often combat FELA claims made by railroad workers and their families due to the fact that they knew the material could be harmful to employees. This could constitute negligence that is liable to railroad workers and their families to compensation. Contact an Virginia railroad injury attorney today to find out more about filing a FELA lawsuit if you've been on trains before.
Diesel Exhaust
Since the 1940s diesel engines have been the primary source of power for trains in America. Prior to that, trains relied on coal to create toxic black soot, which workers took in regularly.
Diesel exhaust fumes are a mixture superfine and combustible gasses. The chemicals in the gas component of diesel exhaust change form into either a liquid or vapor, then get carried through the air as tiny particles. These particles are inhaled by the lungs, which causes irritation of lung tissues over time.
This can lead to an ongoing lung condition known as railroad workers interstitial lung diseases (ILD). In addition, prolonged exposure to diesel exhaust may increase the risk of COPD.
The diesel engine's smoke has a myriad of different chemicals, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide. They also produce polycyclic hydrocarbons which are carcinogenic. The particulate component of diesel exhaust is composed of fine particles that can cause irritation and irritation to the lungs.
Although there has been a substantial reduction in the pollution from diesel through the use of cleaner fuels and catalytic converters, the toxic substances remain in the atmosphere. union pacific settlements can cause ground-level ozone, which causes breathing problems in people and causes damage to trees, crops and vegetation. They can also trigger acid rainfall, which damages the water quality of streams, lakes and rivers.
railroad injury settlement amounts is a major cause of several serious health problems. Smoking causes damage to the small air sacs within the lungs, known as alveoli. The lungs are damaged because of their ability to take in oxygen, which makes breathing more difficult.
The interstitial lung disorder pulmonary fibrosis is a cause of scarring within the lungs, which prevents them from supplying oxygen to the body. The condition is progressive and often causes shortness of breath, fatigue, coughing, and clubbing of the toes and fingers. If left untreated, it can lead to death.
Railroad employees are at an increased risk of developing an interstitial lung disease, such as asthma, COPD, and emphysema. In addition to the exhaust fumes from diesel engines, they may be exposed to toxic asbestos substances and fumes at their workplace. The toxic exposures could lead to cancer and mesothelioma, among other health conditions.
Railroad companies could have prevented the tens of thousands or so of rail workers from developing debilitating and deadly lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis if they had provided them with the proper respiratory protection. Failure to provide this protection is considered negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
Other Exposures
There are other conditions that can lead to interstitial lung disease including rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Certain medicines can increase the chances of developing respiratory issues and pulmonary fibrisis. If you are working in a field that requires working in rail yards, you're exposed to many hazards including the fumes, chemicals and oil. These exposures may cause the condition known as silicosis. It is a recurrence of the lung similar to asbestosis. If railroad back injury settlements gets worse it can cause right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale) since your heart has to be more active than usual in order to pump blood through blocked coronary arteries. This can eventually result in respiratory failure and death.