Railroad Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers are susceptible to a variety of lung ailments, including pulmonary fibrosis and mesothelioma. Diesel fumes can also increase the risk of COPD.
Some forms of interstitial lung disease are progressive. This means they get worse over time. The prognosis for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis isn't good.
Risk Factors
Many railroad workers may develop lung diseases that are debilitating. Particularly, those who have worked for a long time in industrial environments are frequently exposed to toxins and fumes, which can lead to interstitial lung disease. Long-term exposure to toxic chemicals can cause scarring of the lungs. This makes it difficult to breathe oxygen.
The most common reason for interstitial lung diseases in the railroad industry is prolonged 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 the railroad interstitial lungs illness include exposure to metal dust or stone dust. Other risk factors include an history of hepatitis (including tuberculosis), pneumonia or a family history as well as comorbidities like GERD malignancy, GERD, and diabetes.
A few railroad companies failed to inform their workers of the risks associated with railroad work. This has resulted in the prevalence of lung diseases, such as pulmonary fibroids, among career railroaders. Families of railroad workers who have suffered from these ailments can bring a lawsuit against the railroad under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) for damages. This could cover medical expenses, loss of wages as well as pain and suffering and other damages related to the wrongful diagnosis.
Signs and symptoms
Shortness of breath and dry coughing are the most typical symptoms. Over time, the condition may cause other issues that make it difficult or impossible for people to receive enough oxygen. railroad workers cancer lawsuit could lead to life-threatening complications, such as pneumonia or heart or respiratory failure.
The most severe signs of interstitial pulmonary disease that affects railroad workers include fatigue, numbness in the toes and fingers and pulmonary fibrosis. This enlargement of lung tissue makes it difficult for the lungs to provide oxygen to the body. Patients with pulmonary fibrosis may also experience sleep difficulties and other immune-related symptoms.
Inhaling asbestos can cause severe lung scarring that can cause a variety of other diseases. It can cause cancer such as mesothelioma, which is a rare cancer that affects organs as well as the lining in the chest cavity. It can also cause the fibrosis type in the lungs known as asbestosis, and other conditions like silicosis.
Rail yard workers are exposed to chemicals, dust and fumes from freight train equipment as well as maintenance of track. A FELA lawsuit will allow workers to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages and other expenses.
Diagnosis
If you suffer from interstitial lung disease(ILD), parts of your lung tissue are damaged and scarred. The scarring limits the lungs' capacity to get oxygen into the bloodstream and then transport it to other tissues in the body. This can result in a dry cough and fatigue when you exercise. If not addressed, the problem could be life-threatening.
To determine if you have interstitial lung disease, your doctor will order medical tests to look for inflammation and other issues within the lung. These tests could include pulmonary function tests to assess how your lungs function and function, testing for blood, imaging tests and lung biopsy. You'll need to provide your medical history, including a list of any medicines you take and if anyone in your family has connective tissue diseases or any other health issues. You will need to tell your physician if exposed to asbestos, metal dusts, dusts of silica, or any other fumes while working.
Exposure to harmful chemicals and substances at work can trigger various illnesses, such as interstitial lung diseases like pulmonary fibroids. Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust and other fumes may increase the risk of developing cancer, especially mesothelioma, a type of cancer linked to inhaling asbestos fibers that are microscopic. Contact our experienced FELA attorneys 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 scarring and inflammation of the lungs, offers limited treatment options. The scarring can affect the way your lungs take in oxygen and transport it to your body. It can lead to breathing issues like pulmonary fibrosis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
There is no cure for ILD however, doctors can treat your symptoms and assist you maintain your normal life. They can prescribe medications such as supplemental oxygen or physical therapy to lessen the symptoms. They can also prescribe medications to slow the development of the lung scarring. These include corticosteroids and anti-fibrotic drugs such as azathioprine the cyclophosphamide drug, pirfenidone and cytotoxic drugs. Rituximab is another medication that can be used to treat autoimmune disorders.
Symptoms of interstitial lung disease vary for each person and can range from mild to severe. Usually, they come on gradually over a period of time and get worse as the lung damage increases. The most common indication of ILD is a shortness in breath that becomes worse when you exercise or exert yourself.
Railroad workers who were exposed to dusts and fumes like diesel and coal exhaust, can develop a variety respiratory ailments. These conditions can result in an extreme impairment in health and could make it difficult for them to work and function normally. The Federal Employers Liability Act can hold railroads responsible for work-related illnesses when they fail to provide adequate ventilation and safety equipment.