Railroad Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers may suffer from various lung diseases which include pulmonary fibrosis and mesothelioma. Diesel fumes can also increase the risk of COPD.
Some forms of interstitial lung disease are progressive, which means they will get worse as time goes by. The prognosis for Idiopathic lungfibrosis is often poor.
Risk Factors
Many railroad workers are susceptible to developing lung diseases that are debilitating. Railroad workers, especially those who work for long periods in industrial settings, are frequently exposed to toxic fumes and other toxins that can cause interstitial lung diseases. Long-term exposure to toxic chemical can cause lung scarring. This makes it difficult for oxygen to pass.
Diesel exhaust fumes are the primary cause of railroad interstitial lungs disease. Diesel fumes are very irritant to the lungs, and could cause COPD, as well as other health issues, such as lung cancer and respiratory failure.
Other causes of interstitial lung disease in railroad workers are smoking, chronically, and exposure to wood, metal or stone dust. Other risk factors include an ancestor's history of hepatitis or tuberculosis and other comorbidities like GERD (chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease), malignancy and diabetes.
A few railroad companies failed to inform their employees about the risks of railroad work. This has led to an increase in lung diseases like pulmonary fibroids among railroaders who are employed. Families of railroaders who have suffered from these conditions could be able 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 or wages lost as well as pain and suffering and other damages resulting from the incorrect diagnosis.
Signs and symptoms
The most frequent symptoms of interstitial lung disease in railroads are shortness of breath and dry cough that doesn't go away. Over time, the condition can cause other issues that make it difficult or impossible for people to receive enough oxygen. It could result in life-threatening complications, like breathing problems, pneumonia, or heart failure.
The most severe symptoms of railroad interstitial pulmonary disease include fatigue, pain in the fingers and toes and pulmonary fibrous. This enlargement of lung tissue hinders the ability of the lungs to provide oxygen to the body. People with pulmonary fibrosis can have sleep issues as well as other immune-related symptoms.
Inhaling asbestos can cause serious scarring of the lungs and can cause a variety of other ailments. It can cause cancers, such as mesothelioma, which is an uncommon form of cancer that affects the lining of the chest cavity and other organs. It may also lead to the form of fibrosis known as asbestosis in the lungs, and other conditions, such as silicosis.
The workers who work in rail yards are frequently exposed to chemicals, fumes and dust from the equipment used in freight trains and maintenance of tracks. Workers can recover damages from FELA lawsuits for medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses.
Diagnosis
When you have interstitial lung disease(ILD), parts of your lungs are damaged and scarred. The scarring hinders the lungs' capacity to pump oxygen into the bloodstream and to transport it to other tissues in the body. This can result in a dry cough, fatigue and breathlessness during activity. If left untreated the damage can turn serious and life threatening.
Your doctor may order medical tests to determine if there is inflammation or other issues with the lung. These tests may include pulmonary functions tests to assess how your lungs function as well as testing for blood, imaging tests and lung biopsy. You will need to give your medical history, which includes a list of any medications you are taking and whether you or your family members suffer from connective tissue disorders or other health issues. It is important to inform your physician if you were exposed to asbestos, metal dusts or dusts of silica, or any other odors while working.
Exposure to toxic substances and chemicals in the workplace can cause a variety of ailments, including interstitial lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis. Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust and other fumes can raise the chance of workers developing cancer, particularly mesothelioma, a type of cancer that is linked to breathing in asbestos fibers in microscopic size. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with pulmonary cancer from railroads contact our skilled FELA lawyers at Doran & Murphy to discuss the options available to file a lawsuit.
Treatment
Interstitial lung disease, which causes scarring and inflammation in the lungs, has limited treatment options. The scarring may alter the way your lungs take in oxygen and transfer it to your body. railroad lawsuit settlements could cause breathing issues like pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonia, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
ILD is not curable, however doctors can assist you in managing the symptoms and live the normal routine of your life. They may prescribe oxygen therapy, physical therapy or medication to lessen the symptoms. They can also use medications to slow the progress of the lung scarring. These medications include corticosteroids and anti-fibrotic medications like azathioprine Cyclophosphamide, pirfenidone, and cytotoxic drugs. Other medications can include rituximab. It is used to treat autoimmune conditions.
The signs and symptoms of interstitial lung disease are different for each individual and can range from mild to severe. Usually, they come on slowly over a period of months or years and become more severe as lung damage worsens. A shortness of breath is often the first sign of ILD. It gets worse when you exercise or exert yourself.
Rail workers exposed to fumes, dust and dust particles like coal exhaust and diesel can suffer from respiratory issues that are severe. These conditions can cause a serious impairment in quality of life and make it difficult for them to perform work and live normally. The Federal Employers Liability Act can bring railroads to account for occupational illnesses in the event that they fail to provide adequate ventilation and safety equipment.