Emphysema Caused by Railroad Exposures
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to dangerous chemical substances and dust while on the job. This includes mineral and coal dusts as well as diesel exhaust fumes, and silica.
These substances can cause emphysema and other lung diseases. Emphysema sufferers develop large holes in their lungs (bullae). These holes decrease the size of the air sacs, making breathing difficult.
Symptoms
The air sacs of your lung (alveolis) are damaged. The damage stops your lungs from expanding when you breathe. You might feel weak or experience shortness in breath as the result. The symptoms are most apparent in the later stages of the illness.
When the alveoli's walls break, it creates an alveoli bubble or a pouch inside your lung. These pockets can hold air and make your chest appear more full. The diminished number of alveoli also reduces the amount of oxygen that moves into your bloodstream.
It can lead to serious problems, even life-threatening ones, in the event that the emphysema has progressed. It increases the risk of a collapsed lung (pneumothorax). It can also strain your heart which makes you more prone to infections like lung bronchitis and pneumonia. It may also cause massive holes in the lungs, known as bullae, which reduces the space available for lung to expand. This could cause breathing problems.
Railroad workers who prove that on-the-job exposure to diesel exhaust, dust and fumes caused their Emphysema can be qualified for financial compensation. Our law firm will help to get the compensation you're entitled to. We're here to assist you through the entire process of filing an insurance claim. Contact us today to get more details on how we can help.
Diagnosis
The best way to diagnose emphysema is to perform an examination. A doctor will examine your lungs for sounds with a medical device referred to as a Stethoscope. They can hear the changes in your lungs due to emphysematics and can detect signs of the disease on your chest X-ray or CT scan.
Your doctor might also assess your pulmonary function in order to determine the quality of your breathing and exhale. Pulmonary function testing includes spirometry (spirometry) and arterial blood gases (ABG). An ABG analyzes the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood from an artery. It can determine if you require more oxygen.
Treatment can slow down the progress of emphysema and improve the quality of your life. It can also reduce your risk of complications, such as heart disease. Bullae are voids that can develop in the lungs of patients with severe emphysema. These can be as large as half the size of the lung, and can reduce the surface area of the lung. People with massive bullous emphysema are more at risk of developing an elongated lung (pneumothorax).
Railroad companies have the ability to protect tens of millions of workers on the railway from developing lung diseases that can be fatal. If they fail to do this, FELA allows them to be held responsible. Railroad employees and are exposed on the job to asbestos, diesel exhaust and other toxic materials are able to bring personal injury and wrongful death claims.
Treatment
It is difficult for your lungs to transport oxygen in and out because the walls between the air sacs are damaged. This can lead to enlarged lung tissue, which makes it difficult to breathe. You might also experience more frequent coughing. This is referred to as stage 3 or severe Emphysema.
Emphysema is not curable however, there are ways to treat the symptoms and improve your the quality of life. You can avoid irritants like secondhand smoke, air pollution and chemical fumes and dusts at home and workplace. You can also strengthen your lungs by following a regular exercise routine.
If you have been diagnosed with emphysema, your doctor may suggest tests for pulmonary function. This is a test that measures how well your lungs exhale and inhale. pancreatic cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement can also be used to check for inflammation in the lungs and determine if there is obstruction in your airway or any other respiratory issues. Other tests that your doctor could order include arterial blood gas (ABG) which measures the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in your blood, as well as an electrocardiogram (EKG).
The best way to avoid the development of emphysema would be to avoid smoking cigarettes or breathing secondhand smoke. This isn't always simple for everyone. Especially if they are diagnosed with COPD. Workers who were exposed diesel exhausts, asbestos and other chemicals while at work should seek compensation from their former railroad employers for their ongoing diseases under FELA.
Settlement
Railroad workers are at risk of developing serious lung conditions like emphysema, as well with other respiratory diseases due to their exposure toxic substances such as asbestos and diesel exhaust. Railroad employees who can demonstrate that their job has caused or aggravated pulmonary disease may be eligible for financial compensation. The FELA statute permits cases of comparative negligence. This means that even if a railway employee smoked cigarettes and his or her health problems were caused by smoking, they could still be held partially liable. Our legal team is prepared to help injured railroad employees obtain the compensation they deserve.