Railroad Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers can suffer from a variety of lung ailments such as pulmonary fibrosis and mesothelioma. There is also a higher risk of developing COPD because of exposure to diesel fumes.
Some types of interstitial pulmonary disease are progressive, meaning they worsen over time. The prognosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis isn't good.
Risk Factors
Many railroad workers are at risk of developing lung problems that can be debilitating. Particularly, those who have spent their entire lives working in a workplace are frequently exposed to toxic substances and fumes that could cause interstitial lung diseases. Long-term exposure to toxic chemicals can cause lung scarring. This makes it difficult to breathe oxygen.
Diesel exhaust fumes are a major cause of railroad interstitial lungs disease. Diesel fumes are extremely irritating to the lungs and can cause COPD and other health issues like lung cancer and respiratory failure.
Other causes of railroad interstitial pulmonary disease are smoking, chronically, and exposure to wood, metal or stone dust. Other risk factors include an history of hepatitis (including tuberculosis), pneumonia or a family history and comorbidities such as GERD, malignancy, and diabetes.
Certain railroad companies have failed to warn their employees about the dangers of railroad work. This has resulted in the prevalence of lung diseases such as pulmonary fibroids among railroad workers who are in the profession. Families of railroaders who have suffered these conditions could be able to file a lawsuit in accordance with the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) against the railroad to recover damages. This could include medical expenses or wages lost, pain and suffering, as well as other damages that result from the wrong diagnosis.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of railroad interstitial lung diseases are shortness of breath as well as dry cough that doesn't disappear. Over time, the illness can cause other issues that make it difficult or impossible for people to receive sufficient oxygen. For instance, it may cause breathing problems or life-threatening complications such as heart or respiratory failure.
The most severe signs of the disease include fatigue, pain in the toes and fingers and pulmonary fibrisis. This scarring of lung tissue makes it difficult for the lungs to supply oxygen to the body. Patients with pulmonary fibrosis might also experience difficulty breathing during sleep and other symptoms associated with the immune system.
Asbestos inhalation can cause severe lung scarring that can cause a variety of other ailments. cancer lawsuits 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 an inflammatory condition known as asbestosis in lungs and other conditions like silicosis.
Rail yard workers are exposed to dust, chemicals and fumes from freight train equipment as well as track maintenance. Getting a FELA lawsuit can help workers get compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other costs.
Diagnosis
When you have interstitial lung disease(ILD), parts of your lung tissue are damaged and scarred. The scarring affects the ability of the lungs to deliver oxygen to the blood and other tissues. This could result in a dry cough, fatigue and breathlessness during activity. If left untreated the damage could become serious and life threatening.
To identify interstitial lung diseases, your doctor will order medical tests to check for inflammation and other conditions in the lungs. These tests can include pulmonary functions tests to measure how well your lungs function as well as imaging tests, blood tests and a lung biopsy. You will be asked to provide your medical history. This includes a list of all medications you are taking and whether any of your family members suffer from connective tissue disease or other health issue. You will also need to tell your doctor if you have been exposed to silica, asbestos, dusts, or other fumes or dusts in your workplace.
Exposure to toxic materials and chemicals in the workplace could cause a variety of ailments that include interstitial lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis. Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust and other fumes may increase the risk of developing cancer, particularly mesothelioma, a type of cancer linked to inhaling asbestos-like fibers in microscopic sizes. Contact our experienced FELA attorneys at Doran & Murphy if you or a family member has been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis of the railroad to discuss your options.
Treatment
There are a few treatment options for interstitial lung disease (ILD), which causes inflammation and scarring of the lungs. The scarring may affect the way your lungs take in oxygen and then move it around your body. It could cause breathing problems such as pulmonary fibrisis, interstitial pneumonia and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
ILD is not curable, however doctors can help you manage your symptoms and live the normal routine of your life. They might prescribe medication and supplemental oxygen as well as physical therapy to reduce the symptoms. They can also use medication to slow the progress of lung scarring. These medications include corticosteroids and anti-fibrotic drugs like azathioprine as well as cyclophosphamide and cytotoxic drugs. Other drugs include rituximab. It is used to treat autoimmune diseases.
The signs of interstitial lung disease are different for each person, and can range from mild to severe. cancer lawsuits appear slowly over months or even years, and worsen as the damage to the lung gets worse. Breathing problems are often the first indication of ILD. It becomes worse when you exercise or exert yourself.
Railroad workers who were exposed to dusts and fumes like diesel and coal exhaust, may suffer from a variety of serious respiratory illnesses. These conditions can lead to serious impairment to the health and could make it difficult for them to work and perform tasks normally. Bladder cancer lawsuit can bring railroads to account for occupational illnesses in the event that they fail to provide adequate ventilation and safety equipment.