Notes

20 Trailblazers Lead The Way In Railroad Settlement Aplastic Anemia
Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease

Railroad workers have always been at risk of suffering occupational lung diseases such as pulmonary and fibrosis. Prior to 2010, safety regulations seldom required workers to wear masks that protected them from injury, 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. The symptoms can take years to be apparent and it is difficult to establish an exact link to be made between work history and disease.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a mixture of minerals that are naturally occurring and are widely used in the construction industry for their fire-resistant, corrosion resistant and insulation properties. Exposure to these microfibers increases the likelihood of workers developing lung cancer, mesothelioma (a rare type of cancer that develops within the protective linings of organs) and asbestosis (scarring of the lungs). The signs of asbestos-related diseases can take up to 30 years before they appear.

When asbestos is disturbed the fibers separate into tiny, elongated particles called fibrils. These fibrils can be breathed in easily and swell up inside the lungs. When they cause irritation, lungs form scar tissue that makes breathing difficult. The exposure to high levels of asbestos that is in the air over long periods of time also increases the chance of developing mesothelioma. It is a rare and deadly type of lung cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.

Asbestos is banned, but railroad companies still fight FELA claims brought by railroad workers and their family members because they knew asbestos was a risk. Asbestos has been banned, but railroad companies frequently defend FELA claims brought by railroad workers and their families because they knew that the substance could pose a risk to employees. This could constitute negligence that entitles railroad workers and their families to compensation. If you worked on trains in the past, call a Virginia railroad injury lawyer today for more information about filing a FELA claim.


Diesel Exhaust

Diesel engines have replaced coal as the primary power source for trains in America since the 1940s. Before then, trains used coal to produce toxic black soot, which workers breathed in regularly.

Diesel exhaust fumes comprise a mix of combustible emissions and ultrafine particulates. railroad back injury settlements in the gas portion of diesel exhaust transform into liquid or vapor forms, then get carried through the air as tiny particles. The lungs inhale these particles and then cause irritation to the lung tissues over time.

When this happens, it can result in a long-term lung disease called railroad worker's interstitial pulmonary disorder (ILD). In addition, prolonged exposure to diesel exhaust may increase the risk of COPD.

Diesel engine smoke contains hundreds of different chemicals such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide. 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.

The toxins are still present in the air, despite the fact that diesel pollution has been significantly reduced through the use of clean fuels and catalytic convertors. They can contribute to ground level ozone which can cause breathing problems for people as well as cause damage to trees, crops, and vegetation. They can also trigger acid rain, which affects the water quality of lakes, streams, and rivers.

Smoking

Smoking is the main cause of a myriad of serious health conditions. Smoking causes damage to the small air sacs inside the lungs, called alveoli. This reduces the lungs' ability to absorb oxygen, making breathing more difficult.

Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial lung disease characterized by scarring of the lung, which stops the lungs from providing oxygen to the rest of the body. The condition progresses, and can cause shortness of breathe, fatigue and coughing. It can also cause a throbbing sensation in fingers and toes. If not treated, it could lead to death.

Railroad employees are at an increased risk of developing lung disease, such as asthma, COPD, and emphysema. They could also be exposed to asbestos-related toxic fumes and workplace materials, in addition to diesel exhaust fumes. These exposures to toxic substances can cause mesothelioma or cancer and other health issues.

Railroad companies could have prevented thousands of rail workers from developing fatal and debilitating lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis if they had provided them with the proper respiratory protection. Failure to do so constitutes negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act.

Other Exposures

Other conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disease, can also lead to interstitial pulmonary disease. Certain medications may also increase the likelihood of developing pulmonary fibrosis as well as other respiratory problems. There are many dangers, including oil chemicals, and fumes, especially if you work in the rail yard. The exposures can cause the condition known as silicosis. It is a lung scarring similar to asbestosis. If the condition gets worse it could lead to right-sided cardiac failure (cor pulmonale) because your heart has to exert more effort to pump blood through blocked arteries. This could lead to respiratory failure, or even death.

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