Railroad Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers may suffer from various lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and mesothelioma. Diesel fumes can also increase the risk of COPD.
Some forms of interstitial lung diseases are progressive, meaning they become worse over time. The prognosis for idiopathic lung fibrisis is not good.
Risk Factors
Many railroad workers are susceptible to developing lung conditions that are debilitating. Particularly, railroad workers who have spent their entire lives working in a factory environment are often exposed to toxins and fumes, which can cause interstitial lung disease. This is due to long-term exposure to toxic chemicals could cause scarring of the lungs which makes it more difficult for oxygen to travel through.
The most common reason for interstitial lung diseases in the railroad industry is exposure to long-term diesel exhaust fumes. Diesel fumes can trigger COPD and other health problems like respiratory failure and cancer of the lung.
Other causes of railroad interstitial lungs disease include exposure to wood dust, metal dust or stone dust. Other risk factors include an ancestor's history of hepatitis or tuberculosis and co-morbidities like GERD (chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease) malignancy, diabetes, and GERD.
A few railroad companies failed to inform their workers about the risks of railroad work. The result is an increased risk of developing serious lung ailments like lung fibrosis, which is a common condition among railroaders in their careers. Families of railroad workers who suffer from these illnesses can make a claim against the railroad under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) for damages. This could include medical expenses as well as loss of wages, pain and suffering, as well as other damages that result from the wrong diagnosis.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of railroad interstitial lung disease are shortness of breath as well as a dry cough that doesn't go away. Over time, the illness can cause other issues that make it difficult or impossible for people to receive enough oxygen. It can lead to life-threatening complications such as respiratory or heart failure.
The most severe signs of pulmonary disease caused by railroads include fatigue, numbness in the toes and fingers and pulmonary fibrosis. The scarring of lung tissue blocks the lungs' ability to supply oxygen to the body. Patients who develop pulmonary fibrisis might also experience difficulty breathing during sleep and other signs associated with the immune system.
Inhaling asbestos can cause serious lung scarring, and could lead to other diseases. It can cause cancer such as mesothelioma. This is a rare cancer that affects organs as well as the lining in the chest cavity. It could also cause an inflammatory condition known as asbestosis in the lungs, and other conditions like silicosis.
Rail yard workers are exposed to chemicals, dust and fumes from freight train equipment, as well as track maintenance. Workers can recover damages from FELA lawsuits for medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses.
Diagnosis
Institial lung disease is a cause of scarring and damage to various parts of the lungs. union pacific railroad lawsuit decreases the ability of the lungs to deliver oxygen to the blood and other tissues. This could result in a dry cough, fatigue, and shortness of breath during activity. If not addressed, the problem could be life-threatening.
Your doctor may order medical tests to look for inflammation or other issues in the lung. These tests may include pulmonary function tests to determine how your lung function and function, imaging tests, blood tests and a lung biopsy. It is important to disclose your medical history, including a list of any medications you are taking and whether any members of your family suffer from connective tissue diseases or any other health issues. Also, you must tell your doctor if you have been exposed to silica, asbestos, metal dusts, or other odors and dusts while at work.
Exposure to toxic substances and chemicals in the workplace can cause many illnesses, such as interstitial lung diseases such as pulmonary fibroids. Long-term exposure of diesel exhaust fumes as well as other fumes can increase the chance of cancer in workers and workers, including mesothelioma. This cancer is related to asbestos fibers. Contact cancer lawsuits at Doran & Murphy if you or someone in your family has been diagnosed with railroad pulmonary fibrosis to discuss your options.
Treatment
Interstitial lung disease that causes scarring and inflammation of the lungs, has a limited treatment options. The scarring can affect how well your lungs absorb oxygen and transport it to your body. It can cause breathing problems such as pulmonary fibrisis or interstitial pneumonia as well as hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
There is no cure for ILD, but doctors can manage your symptoms and help you to live a normal life. They may prescribe medications such as supplemental oxygen or physical therapy to reduce the symptoms. They may also prescribe medication to slow the progress of lung scarring. These medications include corticosteroids, anti-fibrotic medicines like azathioprine the cyclophosphamide drug, pirfenidone and cytotoxic drugs. Other medications include rituximab, which is used to treat autoimmune conditions.
The symptoms of interstitial pulmonary disease vary from mild to severe. They typically take time to develop over months or even years, and then get worse as the damage to the lung gets worse. Often, Bladder cancer lawsuit of ILD is breathlessness that becomes worse after exercise or exertion.
Rail workers exposed to fumes and dust such as diesel and coal exhaust can develop respiratory illnesses that are serious. These conditions can cause severe impairment of quality of life, which could make it difficult for them to work and function normally. The Federal Employers Liability Act can make railroads accountable for work-related illness if they failed to provide adequate ventilation and safety equipment.