Railroad Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis or mesothelioma. Leukemia lawsuit can also increase the risk of COPD.
Some types of interstitial lung disease are progressive, which means they will get worse as time goes by. The prognosis for idiopathic lung fibrosis isn't great.
Risk Factors
Many railroad workers can develop lung diseases that are debilitating. Particularly, workers who have worked for a long time in a factory environment are often exposed to toxins and fumes that can cause interstitial lung disease. This is due to long-term exposure to toxic chemicals could cause scarring in the lungs which makes it difficult for oxygen to move through.
The most frequent cause of interstitial lung disease from railroads is long-term exposure to diesel exhaust fumes. Diesel fumes can trigger COPD and other health problems like respiratory failure, cancer and even lung cancer.
Other causes of interstitial lung disease in railroad workers include smoking a lot and exposure to metal, wood or stone dust. Other risk factors include a family history of hepatitis or tuberculosis as well as other comorbidities like GERD (chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease) malignancy, diabetes, and GERD.
Leukemia lawsuit failed to inform their workers of the dangers of railroad work. This has resulted in an increase in lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibroids, among career railroaders. Families of railroaders that have been affected by these ailments may be able to bring a suit under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) against the railroad to recover damages. This could include medical expenses as well as lost wages, pain and discomfort, and other damages resulting from a wrong diagnosis.
Symptoms
The breath is short and dry coughing are the most common symptoms. Over time, the condition could lead to other health issues that make it difficult or impossible for patients to get sufficient oxygen. It could result in life-threatening complications like pneumonia or heart or respiratory failure.
Some of the most severe symptoms of this disease are fatigue, joint pain in the fingers and toes and the formation of pulmonary fibrosis, which causes scarring in the lung tissue and stops the lungs from supplying oxygen to the body. Patients who develop pulmonary fibrisis might also experience difficulty breathing during sleep and other symptoms related to the immune system.
Inhaling asbestos can cause serious lung scarring that can lead to a variety of other illnesses. It could cause cancer such as mesothelioma which is a rare cancer that affects organs and the lining inside the chest cavity. Bladder cancer lawsuit can also lead to a form of fibrosis called asbestosis in the lungs as well as other conditions, such as silicosis.
People who work in rail yards are typically exposed to chemicals, fumes and dust from the freight train equipment and from maintenance work on tracks. A FELA lawsuit can help workers recover damages for their medical costs, lost wages, and other expenses.
Diagnosis
If you suffer from interstitial lung diseases, certain parts of your lung tissue are damaged and scarred. The scarring can reduce the ability of the lungs to supply oxygen to blood and other tissues. This can cause a dry cough and fatigue if you exercise. If not treated, the injury could be life-threatening.
Your doctor may order medical tests to look for inflammation or other issues in the lung. These tests could include pulmonary function tests to assess how your lung function and function, testing for blood, imaging tests and a lung biopsy. You'll have to give your medical history, including the list of medications you take as well as whether any members of your family suffer from connective tissue diseases or any other health issues. It is also important to inform your doctor if you have been exposed to asbestos, silica, metal dusts, or any other fumes and dusts while at work.
Exposure to toxic chemicals and substances in the workplace could cause various diseases, including interstitial lung diseases such as pulmonary fibroids. Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust and other fumes can raise the likelihood of a worker developing cancer, particularly mesothelioma, a type of cancer linked to inhaling asbestos fibers in microscopic size. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with railroad pulmonary fibrosis contact our skilled FELA lawyers at Doran & Murphy to discuss the options available to file a lawsuit.
Treatment
There are only a few options for treatment for interstitial lung disease (ILD) which can cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. The scarring may affect the ability of your lungs to take in oxygen and transport it to your body. It can lead to breathing problems like pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonia and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
ILD is not curable, however doctors can assist you in managing your symptoms and lead an active lifestyle. They might prescribe physical therapy, supplemental oxygen or medications to reduce the symptoms. They may also prescribe medications to slow the progression of the lung scarring. Certain of these medications include corticosteroids as well as cytotoxic drugs and anti-fibrotic medicines such as azathioprine, cyclophosphamide and Pirfenidone. Other medications can include rituximab, which is used to treat autoimmune diseases.
Symptoms of interstitial lung disease vary for each person and can vary from mild to severe. Usually, they come on slowly over time, or even years and get worse as the lung damage becomes more severe. The most common indication of ILD is a shortness of breath which gets worse after exercise or exertion.
Railroad workers who were exposed to fumes and dust, including coal and diesel exhaust, may develop a variety of serious respiratory conditions. These ailments can cause an extreme impairment in health, which could make it difficult for them to work and perform tasks normally. Railroads that failed to provide adequate ventilation or safety equipment may be held responsible for this kind of work-related injury under the Federal Employers Liability Act.