Railroad Settlement For Emphysema
Railroad workers suffer from emphysema due to years of exposure to dust, toxic fumes and gases. Our FELA law firm assists with filing occupational disease claims.
Emphysema victims often rely on compensation from railroad settlements to cover medical, surgical and therapeutic expenses associated with their condition. This lung condition can be caused by a range of inhaled particles, including diesel exhaust, silica sand and asbestos.
Silica Sand
Silica is found in the earth's crust as tiny pieces of. It is made up of silicon dioxide (SiO2) that has a unique crystal structure that gives it its toughness and other properties. It is used extensively in the construction industry.
Inhaling silica dust that is free can lead to silicosis, an occupational lung disease that causes the death of the lung. Small pieces of silicon enter the lungs, and cause inflammation and scarring. As time passes, fibrosis grows around the silica particles, and the lungs become permanently scarred. This can make breathing very difficult and could lead to tuberculosis, bronchitis and emphysem, or lung cancer.
Rail workers can be exposed in many ways to crystalline silicon, including through drilling and hammering silica-rich rocks, Abrasive blasting, and working with concrete or bricks and mortar. Other sources include rice hulls, sand and other plant tissues that contain silica, as well as certain types of paints.
The tiniest particles of silica are inhaled deep into the lungs and cause damage to the. Therefore, railroads must ensure that workers are protected from silica exposure by limiting their time in areas that have significant airborne sand. Railroads should also offer mouthpieces and footwear that are sand-free for employees who will use equipment that creates sand from the air. Trains must also be fitted with filters to keep sand from entering the cabin.
Welding Fumes
When you think of welding, you're likely to picture a hard-working welder who is surrounded by sparkling sparks and a graceful curling fumes. The romantic picture quickly fades when you consider the negative effects of these fumes on the health of workers.
Welding fumes can be toxic mixture of gases, metal particles and chemicals. This mixture of elements can affect the health of a welder over both short and long exposures. The exact composition of welding fumes is contingent on a number of factors, including the type and coatings of the metal being welded and the shielding gases employed.
Metal fume fever is a frequent symptom of welding fumes. It is characterized by flu-like symptoms like fatigue with chills, aches, and chills. These symptoms include metallic taste in the mouth, as well as the general feeling that you're not well.
The exposure to welding fumes may be reduced with a variety of control measures such as local exhaust ventilators (LEV) and respiratory protection equipment, and mechanical general ventilation. It is important to remember that these options are only to be used as a last-resort. If welding fumes are not managed by these methods, then a COSHH Assessment should be performed to determine the most appropriate control measures. This is done by estimating the level of exposure and determining the steps required to reduce it, when prevention is not an option.
Diesel Exhaust
In recent years, there has been a shift to using "cleaner" diesel engines for vehicles and trucks. However, people working in the fields of construction, agriculture and other sectors that require large equipment that burns diesel fuel are still exposed fume. These fumes contain a myriad of harmful chemicals that cause harm to the lungs, skin and internal organs.
Diesel exhaust fumes are frequently inhaled by railroad workers driving trains. Additionally, railroad shop employees who are required to stay in the locomotive while it is in the shop could also be exposed to the toxic fumes.
Diesel exhaust from diesel engines contains unburned gasoline and toxic chemicals. These chemicals include particulate (soot) hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. Breathing high concentrations of these pollutants can trigger respiratory symptoms such as coughing and irritation of the nose and throat and shortness of breath. csx settlement can also lead to the accumulation of fluid inside the lungs.
Research has shown that diesel exhaust can increase the risk of lung cancer in humans. The International Agency for Research on Cancer is part of the World Health Organization, has classified diesel exhaust as carcinogenic to human beings.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a hazardous material that was previously used in the railroad industry. It was strong and resistant to corrosion. It also served as an excellent insulation. It was simple for installation and cost-effective to manufacture. Asbestos is a known contributor to lung cancer and a variety of other illnesses. The mesothelioma experts at Simmons Hanly Conroy understand the impacts of asbestos exposure on the life of railroad workers as well as their health. We help injured railroad workers with filing FELA lawsuits to receive financial compensation for their illnesses and injuries.
Studies have shown that railroad workers are at an increased risk of developing mesothelioma and other asbestos related illnesses than the general workforce. This is especially true for those who have worked prior to 1950, when railroads started operating on diesel engines instead of steam. These workers of the past may have been exposed to asbestos while they were building or repairing rail ties, rail cars and locomotives that were made with asbestos. The material is deadly.
Since asbestos-related diseases and mesothelioma have a lengthy dormancy time and many railroad workers who were injured did not recognize they had an illness until decades after their exposure. If you have a respiratory illness such as COPD lung cancer, COPD, or mesothelioma that is related to your work in the railroad industry it is imperative that you speak with an attorney for mesothelioma immediately.