Railroad Settlement For Emphysema

Railroad workers suffer emphysema from years of exposure to toxic fumes, dust and gases. Our FELA firm assists them with filing occupational disease claims.

Emphysema patients often rely on compensation from the railroad settlement to pay for medical, surgical and therapeutic expenses associated with their condition. Many different types of inhaled particles can trigger this lung condition, including silica sand, diesel exhaust, and asbestos.

Silica Sand

Silica is found in Earth's crust in tiny particles. It is made up of silicon dioxide (SiO2) It has an unique crystal lattice structure that gives it its toughness and other properties. It is frequently used in the construction industry.

Inhaling silica dust from the air can lead to silicosis, an occupational lung disease that causes the death of the lungs. railroad back injury settlements happens when tiny particles of crystallized silica are absorbed into the lung, causing inflammation and scarring. As time passes, fibrosis grows around the silica particles, and the lungs are permanently scarred. This makes breathing very difficult and may lead to tuberculosis or bronchitis, or lung cancer.

Railroad workers can be exposed to crystalline silica in a variety of different ways, like drilling or hammering rocks that is silica-rich; abrasive blasting; and working with concrete and masonry materials. Other sources of crystalline silica are rice hulls and sand along with other plant tissues containing silica and certain types paints.

The tiniest silica particles are inhaled deep into the lungs, where they cause damage. Therefore, railroads must ensure that employees are protected from exposure to silica and should limit their time in areas that have significant airborne sand. Railroads should also make sure that they provide sand-free shoes and mouthpieces for workers who use equipment that creates airborne sand. Trains should also be outfitted with filters that prevent Sand from getting into the cab.

Welding Fumes

If you imagine welding, it is likely that you see an experienced welder, surrounded by sparkling sparks and elegant curled fume. When Multiple myeloma settlements consider the effects of these fumes, this romantic picture is quickly destroyed.


Welding fumes are toxic mixture of metal particles, gases and other chemicals. This mix of elements can harm the health of a welder over both long and short durations. The exact makeup of welding fumes is determined by various factors such as the type of metal being welded as well as the coatings and paint on the metal, as well as the gas used for shielding.

Metal fume fever is a typical manifestation of welding fumes. It is characterized by flu like symptoms such as fatigue, chills and aches. The symptoms include an unpleasant metallic taste in your mouth, and the general feeling that you are not well.

Multiple myeloma settlements to welding fume can be reduced by a variety of control measures including local exhaust ventilation (LEV), respiratory protective equipment and mechanical general ventilation. However it is important to remember that these measures should be viewed as a last-resort solution. If welding fumes cannot be managed by these methods, then it is recommended that a COSHH assessment should be conducted to identify the appropriate measures. This involves estimating exposure and considering what steps must be taken to minimize it if prevention is not practical.

Diesel Exhaust

In recent years, there's been a push to use "cleaner" diesel engines for vehicles and trucks. People who work in construction and agriculture or other industries where large equipment burns fuel, are exposed to the dangerous fumes. The fumes are a mixture of hundreds of harmful chemicals which can cause damage to your skin as well as the lungs and internal organs.

Diesel exhaust fumes are often inhaled by railroad workers driving trains. The toxic fumes can be breathed in by railroad shop workers, who could be forced to remain in the engine while it's in the shop.

The diesel exhaust produced by diesel engines contains unburned fuel, as well as numerous harmful chemicals. These chemicals comprise particulate matter (soot), carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides volatile organic compounds and hydrocarbons. Inhaling high levels of these pollutants could cause respiratory problems such as coughing and irritation of the nose and throat and a shortness of breath. It can also cause the accumulation of fluid inside the lungs.

Studies on diesel exhaust have demonstrated that it can increase the risk of lung cancer in humans. The International Agency for Research on Cancer is part of the World Health Organization, has classified diesel exhaust as carcinogenic for humans.

Asbestos

Asbestos can be a deadly material that was once widely employed in the railroad industry. It was strong and resistant to corrosion, as well as an excellent insulation. It was simple to install and cheap to manufacture. Asbestos has unfortunately been linked to lung cancer and many other diseases. The mesothelioma lawyers of Simmons Hanly Conroy are familiar with the effect asbestos exposure can have on railroad workers' health and well-being. We assist railroad workers who have been injured to file FELA lawsuits to obtain an amount of money for their ailments.

Railroad workers are at a higher risk of mesothelioma or asbestos-related diseases and other diseases than the rest of the workforce. This is particularly true for those who have worked prior to 1950, when railroads started operating using diesel engines instead of steam. These older workers might have been exposed if they built, repaired or sanded rail car tracks, and locomotives made of this dangerous material.

Since asbestos-related diseases and mesothelioma have a long dormancy period which is why many railroad workers did not know they had a condition until years after exposure. If you have a respiratory illness like COPD lung carcinoma, COPD or mesothelioma connected to your railroad work it is crucial that you consult an attorney for mesothelioma immediately.