Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease

Railroad workers who work for long periods are more susceptible to occupational lung diseases like pulmonary thermolysis. Prior to 2010, safety regulations seldom required workers to wear protective masks and exposed workers to exhaust fumes as well as hazardous fumes from idle work engines.

Asbestos as well as diesel exhaust, and other workplace hazards can trigger interstitial lung disease. The symptoms can take a long time to be apparent, making it difficult for an immediate connection to be established between the work environment and disease.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a collection of naturally occurring minerals that are popular in the construction industry for its fire retardant, corrosion-resistant and insulation properties. Exposure to these fibers increases the risk of mesothelioma, lung cancer (a rare cancer that develops in the protective linings around organs), and asbestosis. cancer settlements of asbestos-related diseases generally take between 15 and 30 years to show.

When asbestos fibers are agitated they break into tiny pieces that are elongated. These are known as fibrils. bnsf settlement can be inhaled easily and then lodged in the lung. If they cause irritation the lungs create scar tissue that make breathing difficult. In the long run, exposure to high levels of airborne asbestos increases the risk of developing mesothelioma. It is a rare, invasive lung cancer that affects lining the lungs.

Asbestos is now banned from use, but railroad corporations often fight FELA claims filed by railroad workers and their families due to the fact that the companies knew that the substance could be harmful to their employees. Asbestos is now banned however, railroad companies often contest FELA claims filed by railroad workers and their families as they knew that the substance could be harmful to employees. This could be negligence which is what entitles railroad workers and their families compensation. Contact an Virginia railroad injury attorney today to learn more about filing an FELA lawsuit if you have been involved in trains before.

Diesel Exhaust

The diesel engine has replaced coal as the primary power source for trains in America since the 1940s. Before then, trains used coal to create harmful black soot that workers took in regularly.

Diesel exhaust fumes are a mix of with ultrafine and combustible gases. The chemicals in diesel exhaust gas change from a gaseous type to liquid, vapor or tiny particles. The lungs inhale these particles, which then irritate the lung tissues over time.

This can result in a lung condition that is chronically known as railroad workers interstitial lung disease (ILD). Additionally, exposure to diesel exhaust may increase the risk of developing COPD.


The exhaust from diesel engines contains thousands of different chemicals, including carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. They also produce polycyclic hydrocarbons, which are carcinogenic. The fine particles in diesel exhaust can irritate the lungs and cause inflammation.

While there has been a significant reduction in diesel pollution due to the use of cleaner fuels and catalytic converters, the toxins remain in the atmosphere. They can contribute to the formation of ozone at ground level, which causes breathing problems for people as well as can harm trees, crops and plants. They also can cause acid rain, which destroys the water quality of rivers, streams and lakes.

Smoking

Smoking is the most significant cause of a variety of serious health problems. Smoking can damage the tiny air sacs in the lungs called alveoli. This affects the lungs' capacity to absorb oxygen, making breathing difficult.

The interstitial lung disorder pulmonary fibrosis causes scarring in the lungs that prevents them from providing oxygen to the body. The condition is progressive and can cause shortness of breath, fatigue and coughing. It also causes a lot of pain in the fingers and toes. If left untreated, it can cause death.

Railroad workers are at a high risk of developing interstitial lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, emphysema, and COPD. They are also exposed to asbestos-related toxic fumes and workplace materials along with diesel exhaust fumes. These toxic exposures can cause mesothelioma and cancer as well as other health issues.

Railroad companies could have prevented thousands of rail workers from suffering debilitating and fatal lung diseases such as the pulmonary fibrosis with adequate respiratory protection. Failure to provide this protection is negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

Other Exposures

There are other diseases that can cause interstitial lung disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune diseases. Certain medications may also increase the likelihood of developing pulmonary fibrosis and other respiratory issues. If you work in a profession that involves working in rail yards, you are exposed to various hazards, including fumes, chemicals, and oil. These exposures can lead to silicosis which is a scarring of the lung similar to asbestosis. If the condition gets worse it could lead to right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale) since your heart has to perform more than usual to pump blood through blocked blood vessels. This can ultimately result in respiratory failure and death.