Railroad Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma or pulmonary fibrosis. Diesel fumes can also increase the risk of COPD.
Some types of interstitial lung disease are progressive, meaning they get worse over time. The prognosis of the idiopathic lung disease can be poor.
Risk Factors
Many railroad workers may develop lung conditions that can be debilitating. Railroad workers, particularly those who have spent years in a work environment, are frequently exposed to fumes and toxins that can cause lung diseases called interstitial. Exposure to toxic chemicals for a long time can cause scarring of the lungs. This makes it difficult for oxygen to move through.
The most common reason for interstitial lung disease in railroads is prolonged exposure to diesel exhaust fumes. Diesel fumes can be extremely irritating to the lungs, and could cause COPD, as well as other health issues, such as respiratory failure and lung cancer.
Other causes of interstitial lungs from railroads disease are exposure to stone dust, or metal dust. Other risk factors include the presence of hepatitis (including tuberculosis), pneumonia or a family history, and comorbidities such as GERD malignancy, GERD, or diabetes.
A few railroad companies have failed to warn their employees about the dangers associated with working in railroads. This has led to a high incidence of serious lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis among career railroaders. Families of railroaders who been affected by these ailments could be eligible to file a lawsuit under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) against the railroad to recover damages. The lawsuit could be able to cover medical expenses, loss of wages and pain and suffering and other damages related to the wrong diagnosis.
Signs and symptoms
The most commonly reported symptoms of interstitial lung disease in railroads are breathlessness and a dry cough that does not disappear. In time, the condition may lead to other problems that make it difficult for people to breathe. For union pacific railroad lawsuit , it can cause respiratory infections or life-threatening complications such as respiratory or heart failure.
The most severe signs of pulmonary disease caused by railroads include fatigue, numbness in the fingers and toes and pulmonary fibrosis. The scarring of lung tissue blocks the lungs' ability to supply oxygen to the body. People with pulmonary fibrosis can also suffer from sleep problems and other immune-related symptoms.
Inhaling asbestos can cause serious lung scarring, and can lead to other diseases. It may cause cancer such as mesothelioma, which is a rare cancer that affects organs as well as the lining inside the chest cavity. It can also cause the form of fibrosis known as asbestosis in the lungs, and other conditions, such as silicosis.
Leukemia lawsuit in rail yards are usually exposed to fumes, chemicals and dust from the equipment used in freight trains and track maintenance work. A FELA lawsuit can help workers recover damages for their medical expenses, lost wages and other costs.
Diagnosis
When you have interstitial lung disease, parts of your lungs are damaged and scarred. The scarring reduces the ability of the lungs to supply oxygen to blood and other tissues. This could result in a dry cough, fatigue, and breathing problems during activities. If left untreated, the harm could be life-threatening.
Your doctor will recommend medical tests to look for inflammation or other problems in the lungs. They may include pulmonary function tests to assess how well your lungs work through blood tests, lung biopsy and imaging tests. You are required to provide your medical background. This includes a record of all medications you are taking and if you or your family members suffer from connective tissue disease or any other health condition. You should also inform your doctor if have been exposed to silica, asbestos, dusts, or other fumes and dusts during your work.
Exposure to toxic substances and chemicals in the workplace may cause a number of ailments, including interstitial lung diseases like pulmonary fibroids. Long-term exposure of diesel exhaust fumes as well as other fumes increase the risk of developing cancer in workers and workers, including mesothelioma. This type of cancer is linked to asbestos fibers. Contact our knowledgeable FELA lawyers at Doran & Murphy if you or someone in your family has been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis from railroads to discuss your options.
union pacific railroad lawsuit , which causes scarring and inflammation of the lungs, offers limited options for treatment. The scarring can impact the way that your lungs take in oxygen and transfer it to your body. It could cause breathing issues like pulmonary fibrosis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
There is no cure for ILD however, doctors can treat your symptoms and help you to live a normal life. They might prescribe medication, supplemental oxygen, or physical therapy to lessen your symptoms. They can also prescribe medications to slow the development of the lung scarring. These medications include corticosteroids and anti-fibrotic drugs like azathioprine as well as cyclophosphamide and cytotoxic drugs. Other medicines include rituximab, a drug used to treat autoimmune conditions.
The symptoms of interstitial pulmonary disease can vary from mild to severe. Usually, Leukemia lawsuit come on slowly over a period of months or years and then get worse as lung damage increases. Shortness of breath is often the first indication of ILD. It can get worse when you exercise or exert yourself.
Rail workers who are exposed to fumes and dust, like coal exhaust and diesel may develop serious respiratory ailments. These conditions can result in severe impairment of quality of life, which could make it difficult for them to work and perform tasks normally. Railroads that failed to provide adequate ventilation or safety equipment could be held responsible for this type of occupational illness under the Federal Employers Liability Act.