Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers have long been at risk of suffering occupational lung diseases, such as pulmonary thermocolitis. Prior to 2010, safety regulations rarely required crews to wear masks that protected them from injury, exposing workers to exhaust fumes as well as hazardous fumes from idle work engines.
Asbestos, diesel exhaust, and other workplace hazards can trigger interstitial lung disease. It typically takes years for symptoms to show which makes it difficult to draw an immediate link between the work environment and disease.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a mixture of naturally occurring minerals which are widely used in the construction industry because of their fire retardant as well as their corrosion resistant and insulation properties. Exposure to asbestos fibers increases the risk of mesothelioma, lung cancer (a rare cancer that occurs within the protective linings surrounding organs) as well as asbestosis. The symptoms of an asbestos-related disease generally take between 15 and 30 years to show.
When asbestos is disturbed the fibers separate into tiny, elongated pieces called fibrils. They can be easily inhaled and lodge deep within the lungs. When they cause irritation, the lungs develop scar tissues that make breathing difficult. Exposed to high levels airborne asbestos over long periods of time also increases the risk of developing mesothelioma. This is a rare and aggressive type of lung cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.
Asbestos is banned, but railroad companies still fight FELA claims made by railroad workers and their relatives because they knew asbestos was a risk. The evidence from the past suggests that many railroads knew they were exposing workers to asbestos even after they learned that asbestos was a cause of mesothelioma and other health problems. This could be considered negligence that can entitle railroad workers and their families to compensation. Call a Virginia railroad injury lawyer today to learn more about filing a FELA lawsuit if you have worked on trains in the past.
Diesel Exhaust
The diesel engine has replaced coal as the primary power source for trains in America since the 1940s. Before that, trains used coal to produce toxic black soot, which workers breathed in regularly.
Diesel exhaust fumes consist of gasses that are combustible and ultrafine particles. The chemicals in the gas component of diesel exhaust transform into liquid or vapor forms which is then transported through the air as tiny particles. These particulates are inhaled by the lungs, causing irritation of 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.
Diesel engine smoke is made up of thousands of different chemicals including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide. They also produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which are carcinogenic. The particulate content of diesel exhaust is comprised of fine particles, which can irritate and inflame the lungs.
Although there has been a substantial reduction in the pollution from diesel through the use of cleaner fuels and catalytic converters pollutants remain in the air. They can cause the formation of ozone at ground level, which can cause breathing problems for people and harm trees, crops and vegetation. railroad injury settlements can also trigger acid rain, which can destroy the water quality of lakes, streams and rivers.
Smoking
Smoking cigarettes is a significant cause of a variety of serious health conditions. It harms the lungs due to harming the tiny air sacs, known as alveoli, that are found in the lung. This affects the lungs' capacity to absorb oxygen, making 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 often leads to shortness of breath, fatigue as well as coughing and rubbing of the fingers and toes. If not treated, it may cause death.
Railroad workers are at an increased risk of developing interstitial lung diseases, such as asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, Emphysema, as well as COPD. In addition to the exhaust fumes from diesel engines, they could be exposed to toxic asbestos substances and fumes at their work. These toxic exposures can cause a range of health issues, including mesothelioma and even cancer.
By providing adequate respiratory protection, railroad companies could have prevented the onset of lung diseases that are dangerous and even fatal. Failure to do so constitutes negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act.
Other Exposures
There are other conditions that can cause interstitial lung disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Certain medications can increase the risk of developing respiratory problems and pulmonary fibrosis. If you're in a profession that involves working in rail yards, you are exposed to a variety of hazards, including chemical fumes, oil and chemicals. These exposures can cause silicosis, a condition that causes scarring of the lung, similar to asbestosis. If the condition gets worse it could result in right-sided cardiac failure (cor pulmonale) because your heart is forced to work harder to pump blood through blocked arterial. This can lead to respiratory failure and eventually death.