Railroad Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases like pulmonary fibrosis or mesothelioma. There is also a higher risk of developing COPD because of exposure to diesel fumes.
Some types of interstitial pulmonary disease develop, which means that they get worse over time. The prognosis for Idiopathic Pulmonary fibrosis isn't good.
Risk Factors
Many railroad workers are at risk for developing debilitating lung conditions. Railroad workers, particularly those who work for long periods in a work environment, are frequently exposed to toxins and fumes which can lead to interstitial lung diseases. This is because exposure to toxic chemicals can cause scarring to the lungs, making it harder for oxygen to travel through.
Diesel exhaust fumes are the most common cause of railroad interstitial lungs disease. Diesel fumes are 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 interstitial lungs from railroads disease include environmental exposure to metal dust or stone dust. Other risk factors include an hepatitis history (including tuberculosis) or pneumonia, or a family history and comorbidities, such as GERD malignancy, GERD, and diabetes.
Some railroad companies have been unable to warn their employees about the dangers associated with working in railroads. This has led to an increased incidence of lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibroids, among career railroaders. Families of railroad workers who suffer from these ailments may make a claim against the railroad under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) for damages. This could include medical expenses and wages lost and pain and suffering as well as other damages that result from the wrong diagnosis.
Symptoms
The most frequent symptoms of the disease are breathlessness and a dry cough that does not disappear. As time passes, the condition can lead to other health issues that make it difficult for people to breathe. For instance, it could cause respiratory infections or life-threatening complications like respiratory or heart failure.
The most severe symptoms of the disease include fatigue, numbness in the fingers and toes and pulmonary fibrisis. This scarring of the lung tissue hinders the ability of the lungs to provide oxygen to the body. Patients with pulmonary fibrosis might also experience difficulty breathing while sleeping and other symptoms that are related to the immune system.
Inhaling asbestos can cause serious scarring of the lungs and can cause a variety of other diseases. It can cause cancers, 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 the fibrosis type in the lungs called asbestosis and other diseases like silicosis.
Rail yard workers are exposed to chemicals, dust and fumes from the freight train equipment and maintenance of tracks. Workers can seek damages from FELA lawsuits for medical expenses, lost wages and other costs.
Diagnosis
If you suffer from interstitial lung disease, parts of your lung tissue are damaged and scarred. The scarring reduces the lungs' capacity to provide oxygen to blood and other tissues. This can cause dry cough, fatigue and shortness of breath during activity. Untreated, the damage could be life-threatening.
To diagnose interstitial lung disorders your doctor will conduct medical tests to check for inflammation and other issues within the lung. These tests may include pulmonary function tests to determine how your lung function and function, tests for blood, imaging and a lung biopsy. You are required to provide your medical history. This includes a record of all the medications you are taking and if anyone in your family suffers from connective tissue disease or other health issue. You should also inform your doctor if have been exposed to silica, asbestos, metal dusts, or other fumes and dusts at work.
Exposure to toxic substances and chemicals in the workplace could cause a number of ailments, including interstitial lung diseases like pulmonary fibroids. Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust and other fumes can raise the risk of developing cancer, specifically mesothelioma which is a type of cancer that is linked to breathing in asbestos-like fibers in microscopic sizes. Contact our knowledgeable FELA lawyers at Doran & Murphy if you or a family member has been diagnosed with pulmonary disease from the railroad to discuss your options.
Treatment
Interstitial lung disease which causes inflammation and scarring in the lungs, has a limited treatment options. The scarring can alter the way your lungs take in oxygen and then move it around your body. It could cause breathing issues like pulmonary fibrosis or hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
There is cancer lawsuits for ILD, but doctors can treat your symptoms and help you to live a normal life. They may prescribe the use of oxygen therapy, supplements to your diet or medication to lessen your symptoms. They can also use medication to slow the development of lung scarring. Some of these medicines include corticosteroids and cytotoxic drugs and anti-fibrotic drugs like azathioprine and cyclophosphamide. Also, Pirfenidone. Rituximab is a different medication that can be used to treat autoimmune disorders.
The symptoms of interstitial pulmonary disease vary from mild to severe. They usually take time to develop over months or even years, but they get worse as the lung damage worsens. The most common indication of ILD is a shortness in breath that increases when you exercise or exert yourself.
Rail workers who are exposed to fumes and dust, such as diesel and coal exhaust can develop serious respiratory conditions. These ailments can cause significant impairment in the quality of life and make it difficult to perform their duties and function normally. Railroads that failed to provide adequate ventilation or safety equipment may be held accountable for this type of occupational illness under the Federal Employers Liability Act.