Railroad Interstitial Lung Disease
Railroad workers are susceptible to a variety of lung diseases which include pulmonary fibrosis and mesothelioma. Many also have a greater chance of developing COPD due to exposure to diesel fumes.
Some forms of interstitial lung diseases are progressive, meaning they will get worse as time goes by. The prognosis for idiopathic lung fibrosis is poor.
Risk Factors
Many railroad workers are at risk for developing debilitating lung conditions. Particularly, those who have spent decades working in a factory environment are often exposed to toxins and fumes, which can cause interstitial lung disease. Long-term exposure to toxic chemicals can cause lung scarring. This makes it difficult for oxygen to move through.
The most frequent reason for 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 interstitial lung disease in railroad workers include chronic smoking and environmental exposure to metal, wood or stone dust. Other risk factors include an history of hepatitis (including tuberculosis) or pneumonia, or a family history and comorbidities such as GERD malignancy, GERD, and diabetes.
Some railroad companies have failed to inform their workers of the dangers of railroad work. The result is a high incidence of serious lung conditions like pulmonary fibrosis in railroad workers who are employed. Families of railroad workers who have suffered from these ailments may make a claim against the railroad under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) to recover damages. This could include medical expenses loss of wages, discomfort and pain, as well as other damages that result from the wrong diagnosis.
Signs and symptoms
The most common symptoms of the disease include shortness of breath and dry cough that doesn't go away. Over time, the condition may lead to other problems which make it difficult for people to breathe. For instance, it could cause pneumonia or life-threatening conditions such as heart or respiratory failure.
The most serious symptoms of interstitial lung disease caused by railroads include fatigue, the rubbing of the fingers and toes and the growth of pulmonaryfibrosis that causes scarring in lung tissue and blocks the lung from supplying oxygen to the body. People with pulmonary fibrosis may also experience difficulty breathing when they sleep, and other symptoms connected to the immune system.
Inhaling asbestos can cause severe lung scarring and leads to a number of other ailments. It can cause cancer, like mesothelioma, which is 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, known as asbestosis, and other diseases like silicosis.
People who work in rail yards are often exposed to chemicals, fumes and dust from the freight train equipment and from maintenance work on tracks. Making a FELA lawsuit will allow workers to recover damages for their medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs.
Diagnosis
Interstitial lung disease causes scarring and damage to various parts of the lung. The scarring hinders the lungs' ability to draw oxygen into blood and deliver it to other tissues of the body. This can lead to a dry cough and fatigue when you exercise. Untreated, the damage could be life-threatening.
Your doctor will order medical tests to detect inflammation or other problems with the lungs. These tests could include pulmonary function tests to determine how your lungs function in a healthy way, imaging tests, blood tests and lung biopsy. You will be asked to submit your medical background. 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 issue. You should also inform your doctor if have been exposed to asbestos, silica, metal dusts, or other fumes and dusts at work.
Exposure to harmful chemicals and materials in the workplace may cause many ailments, including interstitial lung disease like pulmonary fibroids. 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. This cancer is linked to asbestos fibers. If railroad lawsuit or a loved one has been diagnosed with railroad pulmonary fibrosis, contact our experienced FELA lawyers at Doran & Murphy to discuss your options for filing an action.
Treatment
There are only a few options for treatment for interstitial lung disease (ILD), which causes inflammation and scarring of the lungs. The scarring may affect the ability of your lungs to take in oxygen and then transport it to your body. It can cause breathing issues like pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonia, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.
ILD is not curable, however doctors can assist you in managing the symptoms and live the normal routine of your life. They can prescribe medications and supplemental oxygen as well as physical therapy to lessen your symptoms. They can also use medication to slow the development of lung scarring. These include corticosteroids as well as anti-fibrotic medicines like azathioprine Cyclophosphamide, pirfenidone, and cytotoxic drugs. Other drugs include rituximab. It is used to treat autoimmune diseases.
The signs of interstitial lung disease vary for each person, and can range from mild to severe. They usually develop slowly over months or even years, but they get worse as the lung damage worsens. Often, the first sign of ILD is a shortness of breath that gets worse when you exercise or exert yourself.
Rail workers who are exposed to fumes, dust and dust particles such as coal exhaust and diesel could develop serious respiratory conditions. These conditions can result in serious impairment to the quality of life, which can make it difficult to work and function normally. Railroads that do not provide adequate ventilation or safety equipment may be held responsible for this kind of work-related illness under the Federal Employers Liability Act.