Railroad Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis or mesothelioma. They also have a higher risk of developing COPD due to exposure to diesel fumes.
Some types of interstitial pulmonary disease are progressive. This means they worsen over time. The prognosis of the idiopathic lung disease can be poor.
Risk Factors
Many railroad workers can develop lung conditions that can be life-threatening. Particularly, those who have spent a long time working in a factory environment are often exposed to toxins and fumes that could cause interstitial lung diseases. Exposure to toxic chemicals for a long time can cause lung scarring. This makes it difficult to breathe oxygen.
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 such as respiratory failure and cancer of the lung.
Other causes of railroad interstitial lung disease include smoking a lot and exposure to metal, wood or stone dust. Other risk factors include having a history of hepatitis in the family or tuberculosis and complications such as GERD (chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease), malignancy and diabetes.
Certain railroad companies have failed to warn their employees about the dangers of railroad work. This has led to the high prevalence of serious lung ailments like pulmonary fibrosis among career railroaders. Families of railroad workers who have suffered from these conditions can file a lawsuit against the railroad under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) for damages. The lawsuit could be able to cover medical expenses as well as loss of wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the incorrect diagnosis.
Symptoms
Shortness of breath and a persistent dry cough are the most frequent symptoms. As time passes, the condition could lead to other health issues that make it difficult or impossible for people to get enough oxygen. It could result in life-threatening complications, like asthma or heart or respiratory failure.
Some of the most serious symptoms of railroad interstitial lung disease include fatigue, the rubbing of the fingers and toes and the formation of pulmonary fibrosis, which causes scarring in the lung tissue and stops the lung tissue from providing oxygen to the body. Patients who develop pulmonary fibrisis may also experience breathing difficulties during sleep and other symptoms connected to the immune system.
Inhaling asbestos may cause severe scarring of the lungs and can lead to other diseases. It can cause cancer, such as mesothelioma, one of the rare types of cancer that affects the lining of the chest cavity and other organs. It can also cause a type of fibrosis in the lungs, known as asbestosis, and other diseases 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 could help workers recover damages for their medical costs, lost wages, and other costs.
Diagnosis
Institial lung disease is a cause of scarring and deterioration to parts of the lungs. The scarring limits the lungs' ability to draw oxygen into blood and transport it to other tissues in the body. This can lead to a dry cough and fatigue when you exercise. If not treated, the injury could be life-threatening.
To diagnose interstitial lung disorders, your doctor will order medical tests to detect inflammation and other conditions in the lungs. These tests could include pulmonary functions tests to gauge how your lung function and function, tests for blood, imaging and lung biopsy. You will be asked to submit your medical history. This includes a record of all medications you're taking and whether anyone in your family suffers from connective tissue disease or any other health condition. Also, you must tell your doctor if you have been exposed to silica, asbestos or metal dusts, or other fumes and dusts during your work.
Exposure to toxic chemicals and materials in the workplace may cause various diseases, including interstitial lung disease, such as pulmonary fibroids. Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust and other fumes can increase the likelihood of a worker developing cancer, especially mesothelioma which is a type of cancer that is linked to breathing in microscopic fibers of asbestos. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with railroad pulmonary fibrosis, contact our experienced FELA lawyers at Doran & Murphy to discuss the options available to file a lawsuit.
Treatment
There are a few treatment options for interstitial lung disease (ILD), which causes inflammation and scarring of the lungs. The scarring can alter the way your lungs take in oxygen and then move it around your body. It can cause breathing issues such as pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonia, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
There is no cure for ILD, but doctors can treat your symptoms and help you maintain your normal life. They may prescribe oxygen therapy, physical therapy or medications to ease your symptoms. They can also prescribe medication to slow the progress of lung scarring. These medications include corticosteroids and anti-fibrotic medicines like azathioprine cyclophosphamide, pirfenidone and cytotoxic drugs. railroad class action lawsuit include rituximab. It is used to treat autoimmune conditions.
The signs of interstitial lung disease vary for each person and can vary from mild to severe. They typically develop slowly over months or even years, and they can get worse as lung damage gets worse. The most common indication of ILD is shortness of breath that gets worse with exercise or exertion.
Railroad workers who were exposed to dusts and fumes like diesel and coal exhaust, can suffer from a variety of serious respiratory conditions. These ailments can cause an extreme impairment in health and could make it difficult for them to perform their duties and work. Railroads who fail to provide adequate ventilation or safety equipment may be held responsible for this kind of work-related illness as per the Federal Employers Liability Act.