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Don't Stop! 15 Things About Railroad Settlement Aplastic Anemia We're Overheard
Railroad Settlement - Interstitial Lung Disease

Railroad workers have been for a long time at risk of contracting occupational lung diseases, such as pulmonary and fibrosis. Prior to railroad injury settlement amounts , safety guidelines did not require workers to wear masks that protected them from injury and exposed workers to exhaust fumes and dangerous fumes that come from idle engines.

Asbestos exposure as well as diesel exhaust and other workplace hazards can result in interstitial pulmonary disease. It often takes decades before symptoms begin to manifest which makes it difficult to draw an exact link between the history of work and the disease.

Asbestos


Asbestos is a mixture of naturally occurring minerals that are extensively used in the construction industry for their fire-resistant and corrosion resistant properties. Exposure to these fibers can increase the risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma, (a rare cancer that occurs in the protective linings around organs) as well as asbestosis. The signs of asbestos-related illnesses can take up to 30 years to appear.

When asbestos fibers are disturbed they break up into smaller, elongated particles known as fibrils. The fibrils can be inhaled easily and can be lodged deep within the lungs. When they cause irritation the lungs develop scar tissue which makes breathing difficult. Long-term exposure to high amounts of asbestos in the air increases the chance of developing mesothelioma. This is a rare, invasive lung cancer that affects the lining of the lungs.

Asbestos is now banned, however, railroad companies continue to fight FELA claims brought by railroad employees and their family members due to the fact that they knew asbestos was a danger. A growing historical record suggests that many railroads had knowingly exposed workers to asbestos, even after they had learned that asbestos was a cause of mesothelioma, among other health issues. This may constitute negligence that can entitle railroad workers and their families to compensation. If you have worked on trains in the past, call an Virginia railroad injury lawyer now for more information about filing an FELA claim.

Diesel Exhaust

Since the 1940s, the diesel engine has been the main source of power for trains in America. Before that trains ran on coal- which produced harmful black soot which workers were exposed to on a regular basis.

Diesel exhaust fumes are a mix of combustible gasses and ultrafine particles. The chemicals found in diesel exhaust gas change from a gaseous type to liquid, vapor or tiny particles. These particles are inhaled by the lungs, causing irritation to lung tissues over time.

This could result in a chronic lung disease known as railroad workers interstitial pulmonary disease (ILD). In railroad lawsuit settlements , exposure for a long time to diesel exhaust could increase the risk of COPD.

Diesel engine smoke contains thousands of different chemicals including nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide carbon monoxide, and sulfur dioxide. They also produce polycyclic hydrocarbons that are carcinogenic. The particulate content of diesel exhaust is made up of fine particles which can irritate and inflame the lungs.

Although there has been a significant reduction in diesel pollution due to the use of cleaner fuels and catalytic converters toxic substances remain in the atmosphere. They can contribute to the formation of ozone at ground level, which can cause breathing problems for humans and affect trees, crops and the vegetation. They can also cause acid rain, which can harm the water quality of streams, lakes, and rivers.

Smoking

Smoking is the most significant cause of a myriad of serious health conditions. It harms the lungs due to harming the tiny air sacs, also known as alveoli in the lungs. This reduces the lungs' capacity to absorb oxygen, making breathing difficult.

Pulmonary fibrosis is an interstitial lung condition that is characterized by scarring of the lung, which stops the lungs from supplying oxygen to the rest of the body. The condition is progressive and often leads to fatigue, shortness of breath, coughing, and clubbing of the fingers and toes. If not treated, it may lead to death.

Railroad workers are at a high risk of developing lung diseases such as asthma, pulmonary fibroids, 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 exposures to toxic substances can cause mesothelioma and cancer as well as other health issues.

By providing adequate protection for their respiratory systems, railroads could have prevented the onset of lung diseases that can be painful and can be fatal. Failure to do so is a breach of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

Other Exposures

Other conditions, like the autoimmune disease rheumatoid and rheumatoi can also trigger interstitial pulmonary disease. Certain medications can increase the likelihood of developing respiratory issues and pulmonary fibrisis. There are many hazards, such as oil, chemicals, and fumes, especially if you work in the rail yard. The exposures could cause silicosis, a condition that causes scarring of the lung, similar to asbestosis. If the condition gets worse, it can lead to right-sided heart failure (cor pulmonale) as your heart must perform harder than normal to move blood through blocked blood vessels. railroad back injury settlements can eventually result in respiratory failure and death.

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