Railroad Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers can be affected by a variety of lung ailments which include pulmonary fibrosis and mesothelioma. Diesel fumes can also increase the risk of COPD.
Some types of interstitial pulmonary disease develop, which means that they become worse with time. The prognosis for the idiopathic lung disease can be poor.
Risk Factors
Many railroad workers are at risk for developing debilitating lung conditions. Railroad workers, especially those who work in a working environment are often exposed to toxins and fumes which can lead to interstitial lung diseases. Long-term exposure to toxic chemicals can cause lung scarring. This makes it difficult to breathe oxygen.
The most common cause of interstitial lung disease in railroads is exposure to long-term diesel exhaust fumes. Diesel fumes can be extremely irritating to the lungs and may cause COPD, as well as other health issues, such as lung cancer and respiratory failure.
Other causes of railroad interstitial lung disease include smoking a lot and exposure to wood, metal or stone dust. Other risk factors include the presence of hepatitis (including tuberculosis) or pneumonia, or a family history, as well as comorbidities like GERD malignancy, GERD, or diabetes.
Certain railroad companies did not warn their workers about the dangers of railroad work. The result is the high prevalence of serious lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis among railroaders who work in the field. Families of railroad workers who have suffered from these illnesses can file a lawsuit against the railroad under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) for damages. This could include medical costs as well as loss of wages and pain and suffering as well as other damages that result from the incorrect diagnosis.
Signs and symptoms
The most commonly reported symptoms of interstitial lung disease in railroads are breathlessness and dry cough that does not disappear. Over time, the condition may cause other issues that make it difficult or impossible for patients to get sufficient oxygen. It could lead to life-threatening complications like respiratory or heart failure.
Some of the most serious symptoms of the disease are fatigue, numbness of the toes and fingers, and the development of pulmonary fibrosis which causes scarring in the lung tissue and prevents the lung tissues from supplying oxygen to the body. People who develop pulmonary fibrosis may also experience difficulty breathing while sleeping and other symptoms related to the immune system.
Inhaling asbestos can cause serious lung scarring, and could lead to other diseases. It may 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 lead to a form of fibrosis called asbestosis in the lungs and other conditions, such as silicosis.
Rail yard workers are exposed to dust, chemicals and fumes from the freight train equipment, as well as maintenance of track. The filing of a FELA lawsuit could help workers recover damages for medical bills, lost wages and other costs.
Diagnosis
When you have interstitial lung disease, the parts of your lungs are damaged and scarred. The scarring affects the lungs' capacity to draw oxygen into bloodstream and to transport it to other tissues of the body. This can lead to a dry cough and fatigue when you exercise. If left untreated the damage could become grave and life-threatening.
To diagnose interstitial lung disorders your doctor will conduct medical tests to determine inflammation and other conditions in the lung. These tests can include pulmonary function tests to determine how your lungs function in a healthy way, testing for blood, imaging tests and a lung biopsy. You'll need to provide your medical history, including an inventory of any medications you take and whether any members of your family suffer from connective tissue disorders or other health issues. You should also tell your doctor if you have been exposed to asbestos, silica, metal dusts, or other fumes and dusts while at work.
Exposure to toxic substances and chemicals in the workplace can cause a myriad of health issues such as interstitial lung disease such as pulmonary fibrosis. Long-term exposure of diesel exhaust fumes as well as other fumes can increase the chance of cancer in workers and their families, particularly mesothelioma. The cancer is connected to asbestos fibers. Contact our knowledgeable FELA lawyers at Doran & Murphy if you or someone in your family has been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis of the railroad to discuss your options.
Treatment
There are few treatment options for interstitial lung disease (ILD), which causes inflammation and scarring of the lungs. The scarring could affect the ability of your lungs to absorb oxygen and then transport it to your body. It can lead to breathing problems like pulmonary fibrosis or hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
There is no cure for ILD, but doctors can manage your symptoms and help you live a normal life. They might prescribe medication and supplemental oxygen as well as physical therapy to lessen the symptoms. They can also prescribe medications to slow the development of the lung scarring. Some of these medicines include corticosteroids as well as cytotoxic drugs and anti-fibrotic medications like azathioprine and cyclophosphamide as well as pirfenidone. Other drugs include rituximab, which is used to treat autoimmune conditions.
Symptoms of interstitial lung conditions are different for every individual and can range from mild to severe. They typically appear slowly over months or even years, and then get worse as lung damage gets worse. Breathing problems are often the first indication of ILD. It becomes more severe when you exercise or exert yourself.
union pacific railroad lawsuit who were exposed to fumes and dust such as diesel and coal exhaust, can suffer from a variety respiratory conditions. These illnesses can cause severe impairment in quality of life and make it difficult for them to function and work normally. The Federal Employers Liability Act can be used to hold railroads accountable for workplace-related illnesses in the event that they fail to provide adequate ventilation and safety equipment.