Railroad Interstitial Lung Disease

Railroad workers can be affected by a variety of lung ailments, including pulmonary fibrosis and mesothelioma. Diesel fumes can also increase the risk of COPD.

Some types of interstitial lung diseases are progressive, meaning they become worse over time. The prognosis for idiopathic lung fibrosis can be poor.

Risk Factors

Many railroad workers are at risk for developing chronic lung conditions. railroad lawsuit mds workers, especially those who have spent years in an industrial setting are often exposed to fumes and toxins that can cause lung diseases called interstitial. Long-term exposure to toxic chemicals can cause scarring of the lungs. This makes it difficult for oxygen to pass.

Diesel exhaust fumes are a major cause of railroad interstitial lung disease. Diesel fumes can be extremely irritating to the lungs and can cause COPD as well as other health issues like respiratory failure and lung cancer.

Other causes of interstitial lungs from railroads disease are exposure to wood dust, metal dust or stone dust. Other risk factors include an ancestor's history of hepatitis or tuberculosis as well as comorbidities such as GERD (chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease), malignancy and diabetes.

A few railroad companies failed to inform their employees about the dangers of railroad lawsuit chronic lymphocytic leukemia work. The result is the high prevalence of serious lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis in railroad lawsuit multiple myeloma workers who are employed. Families of railroad workers who have suffered from these illnesses can make a claim against the railroad under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) to recover damages. This could include medical costs, lost wages, discomfort and pain, and other damages that result from the mistaken diagnosis.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of railroad lawsuit cll interstitial lung disease are shortness of breath and a dry cough that does not disappear. In time, the condition could lead to other issues that make it difficult for people to breathe. It could lead to life-threatening complications, such as asthma or heart or respiratory failure.

The most severe signs of the disease include fatigue, clubbing in the fingers and toes and pulmonary fibrosis. The scarring of lung tissue prevents the lungs to supply oxygen to the body. Patients who develop pulmonary fibrisis might also experience difficulty breathing during sleep and other symptoms related to the immune system.

Inhaling asbestos can cause severe lung scarring and can lead to other diseases. It can cause cancer, for instance mesothelioma, which is one of the rare types of cancer that affects the lining of the chest cavity and other organs. It could also cause a form of fibrosis called asbestosis in the lungs and other conditions such as silicosis.

The workers who work in rail yards are usually exposed to fumes, chemicals and dust that come from the freight train equipment and from maintenance of tracks. The filing of a FELA lawsuit could help workers recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and other expenses.

Diagnosis

When you have interstitial lung diseases, certain parts of your lung tissue are damaged and scarred. The scarring hinders the ability of your lungs to draw oxygen into bloodstream and then transport it to other tissues in the body. This could result in a dry cough, fatigue and breathing problems during activities. If not addressed, the problem could be life-threatening.

To diagnose interstitial lung disorders your doctor will conduct medical tests to detect inflammation and other conditions in the lungs. They may include pulmonary function tests to assess the efficiency of your lungs and function, blood tests, lung biopsy and imaging tests. You will need to give your medical history, including an inventory of any medications you are taking and whether anyone in your family has connective tissue disorders or other health issues. You will need to tell your doctor if you've been exposed to asbestos, metal dusts or dusts, silica dusts or any other fumes when working.

The exposure to toxic substances and chemicals in the workplace could cause a variety of illnesses which include lung diseases interstitial like pulmonary fibrosis. Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust and other fumes may increase the likelihood of a worker developing cancer, particularly mesothelioma which is a type of cancer that is linked to breathing in asbestos-like fibers in microscopic sizes. Contact our experienced 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 results in scarring and inflammation of the lungs, has a limited treatments. The scarring may impact the way that your lungs take in oxygen and then move it around your body. It can lead to breathing issues such as pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial pneumonia and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

ILD is not curable, however doctors can assist you in managing your symptoms and lead the normal routine of your life. They might prescribe the use of oxygen therapy, supplements to your diet or medications to reduce your symptoms. They can also use medication to slow the progress of lung scarring. These include corticosteroids and anti-fibrotic drugs like azathioprine Cyclophosphamide, pirfenidone, and cytotoxic drugs. Rituximab, another medication, can be used to treat autoimmune diseases.

The signs and symptoms of interstitial lung disease are different for each person and can vary from mild to severe. Usually, they develop slowly over a period of months or years and then get worse as lung damage worsens. Breathing problems are often the first sign of ILD. It becomes worse when you exercise or work out.

Rail workers exposed to fumes and dust, railroad lawsuit chronic lymphocytic leukemia such as diesel and coal exhaust can develop serious respiratory ailments. These ailments can cause significant impairment in the quality of life and make it difficult to perform and work normally. Railroads who fail to provide adequate ventilation or safety equipment can be held accountable for this type of work-related illness under the Federal Employers Liability Act.