Railroad Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers are susceptible to a variety of lung ailments that include pulmonary fibrosis as well as mesothelioma. Diesel fumes can also increase the risk of COPD.
Certain types of interstitial lung disease are progressive, which means they worsen over time. The prognosis for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis isn't good.
Risk Factors
Many railroad workers are at risk for developing lung problems that can be debilitating. Railroad workers, especially those who have worked for a long time in industrial settings are often exposed to toxins and fumes that can cause lung diseases called interstitial. Long-term exposure to toxic chemical can cause lung scarring. This makes it difficult for oxygen to pass.
Diesel exhaust fumes are a major cause of railroad interstitial lung disease. Diesel fumes can be extremely irritating to the lungs. They can cause COPD as well as other health issues such as lung cancer and respiratory failure.
Other causes of railroad interstitial lung disease include smoking cigarettes for a long time and environmental exposure to metal, wood or stone dust. Other risk factors include an hepatitis history (including tuberculosis), pneumonia or a family history, and comorbidities such as GERD malignancy, GERD, and diabetes.
A few railroad companies have failed to inform their employees of the dangers of working on railroads. This has led to the high prevalence of serious lung diseases such as lung fibrosis, which is a common condition among railroaders in their careers. Families of railroad workers who suffer from these ailments may bring a lawsuit against the railroad under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) for damages. This could cover medical expenses and wages lost, pain and suffering, as well as other damages that result from the wrong diagnosis.
Symptoms
Breathlessness and dry coughing are the most typical symptoms. Over time, the condition may lead to other problems which make it difficult for people to breathe. For instance, it may cause pneumonia or life-threatening conditions such as respiratory or heart failure.
Some of the most serious symptoms of the disease include fatigue, the rubbing of the fingers and toes, and the development of pulmonary fibrosis which causes scarring to the lung tissue and stops the lung tissue from providing oxygen to the body. Patients with pulmonary fibrosis might also experience difficulty breathing during sleep and other symptoms related to the immune system.
Inhaling asbestos may cause severe scarring of the lungs and can cause other diseases. It can cause cancer, such as mesothelioma which is a rare cancer that affects organs and the lining inside the chest cavity. It may also lead to the form of fibrosis known as asbestosis in the lungs as well as other conditions, such as silicosis.
People who work in rail yards are often exposed to chemicals, fumes and dust from the freight train equipment as well as from maintenance work on tracks. Workers can recover damages from FELA lawsuits for medical bills, lost wages, and other costs.
Diagnosis
Interstitial lung disease causes scarring and damage to various parts of the lung. The scarring limits the lungs' capacity to bring oxygen into blood and deliver it to other tissues of the body. This can cause a dry cough and fatigue when you exercise. If not treated, the damage can become grave and life-threatening.
Your doctor will recommend medical tests to look for inflammation or other issues in the lungs. This could include pulmonary function tests to determine how well your lungs work as well as blood tests, an lung biopsy and imaging tests. You will be asked to submit your medical background. This will include a list of all the medications you are taking and if any of your family members suffer from connective tissue disease or other health issue. railroad cancer lawsuit will also need to tell your doctor if you have been exposed to silica, asbestos, dusts, or other fumes and dusts while at work.
Exposure to toxic substances and chemicals in the workplace can cause a range of illnesses such as interstitial lung disease like pulmonary fibrosis. Long-term exposure of diesel exhaust fumes as well as other fumes can increase the chance of developing cancer in workers, especially mesothelioma. The cancer is connected to asbestos fibers. Contact our knowledgeable FELA lawyers at Doran & Murphy if you or a family member has been diagnosed with railroad pulmonary fibrosis to discuss your options.
Treatment
There are limited treatment options for interstitial lung disease (ILD) which can cause inflammation and scarring of the lungs. The scarring can affect how well your lungs take in oxygen and then move it around your body. It can cause breathing issues like pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonia, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
There is no cure for ILD However, doctors can treat your symptoms and help you live a normal life. They might prescribe medication and supplemental oxygen as well as physical therapy to ease the symptoms. They may also prescribe medications to slow down the progression of lung scarring. Some of these include corticosteroids, cytotoxic medications and anti-fibrotic medicines like azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, and Pirfenidone. Rituximab is another drug that can be used to treat autoimmune diseases.
Symptoms of interstitial lung conditions are different for every person and can range from mild to severe. Usually, they manifest slowly over time, or even years and worsen as lung damage gets worse. Often, the first indication of ILD is a shortness in breath which gets worse after exercise or exertion.
Rail workers exposed to fumes and dust, like diesel and coal exhaust can suffer from respiratory issues that are severe. These ailments can cause serious impairment in quality of life and make it difficult to function and work normally. Railroads that failed to provide adequate ventilation or safety equipment can be held responsible for this type of work-related injury under the Federal Employers Liability Act.