Railroad Settlement For Emphysema
Railroad workers suffer emphysema from years of exposure to dust, toxic fumes and gases. Our FELA firm assists them in filing occupational disease claims.
Emphysema patients often rely on compensation from railroad settlements to cover hospitalization, surgery and therapy costs associated with the condition. Several different types of inhaled particulates may cause the condition, such as silica sand, diesel exhaust and asbestos.
Silica Sand
Silica is a mineral that is found in the earth as tiny particles. It is made from silicon dioxide (SiO2) that has unique crystal structure that gives it hardness and other properties. It is used in construction.
Inhaling free silica dust can cause silicosis, an occupational lung disease that leads to the death of the lung. It occurs when small particles of silica crystals enter the lung creating inflammation and scarring. Over time, fibrosis begins to form 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.
Railroad workers may be exposed to crystalline silica through a variety of different ways, including hammering or drilling rock that contains silica; performing blasting abrasive, and working with concrete and masonry materials. Other sources include sand, rice hulls and other plant tissues that contain silica, and certain paints.
The tiniest of particles of silica can be inhaled deep into the lungs, where they cause serious damage. As a result, the railroads must ensure that employees are protected from silica exposure, including limiting time in areas that contain significant airborne sand. Railroads should also provide mouthpieces and shoes that are sand-free to employees who work with equipment that produces sand in the air. Furthermore, trains should be equipped with filters that stop the sand from entering the cab.
Welding Fumes
If you imagine welding, it is likely that you will see an experienced welder, surrounded by sparkling sparks and graceful curled fumes. If you think about the effects of these fumes, this romantic picture is quickly shattered.
The fumes from welding are a poisonous mixture of gases, metal particles, and other chemicals. This mix of elements impacts the health of welders over long and short exposures. The exact composition of welding fumes depends on a variety of factors, such as the type and coatings of the metal being welded, as well as the shielding gases used.
In spite of the composition of welding fumes, a common effect on the welder is metal fume fever. This is characterized by flu-like symptoms, like fatigue, chills and aches. The symptoms can also include a sour metallic taste in your mouth and general feeling of unwellness.
The exposure to welding fumes could be minimized by a variety of controls, such as local exhaust ventilation (LEV), respiratory protective equipment, and mechanical general ventilation. However it is essential to keep in mind that these measures should be considered as a last resort option. Where welding fume levels cannot be controlled with these methods however, an COSHH assessment must be conducted to determine the appropriate controls. This includes estimating exposure and determining what steps need to be taken to limit it if prevention is not practical.
Diesel Exhaust
In recent times, there has been a trend to use "cleaner" diesel engines for trucks and other vehicles. However, people who work in construction, agriculture and other services that utilize large machinery that burns diesel fuel are still exposed to the dangerous fume. The fumes are a mixture of harmful chemicals that can cause harm to the lungs, skin and internal organs.
Railroad workers who operate trains are typically exposed to diesel exhaust fumes from locomotives as they drive down the track or in the engine cab. In addition, railroad shop employees who must remain in the locomotive while it is in the shop may also be exposed to these harmful fumes.
Diesel exhaust from diesel engines is made up of unburned gasoline along with toxic chemicals. These chemicals include particulate matter (soot), carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds. Inhaling railroad injury settlement amounts of these contaminants can cause respiratory symptoms such as coughing, irritation of the throat and nose and breath shortness. It can also lead to an accumulation of lung.
Studies on diesel exhaust have shown that it may also increase the risk of developing lung cancer in people. This has led to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization) to declare diesel exhaust carcinogenic to humans.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a hazard which was once employed in the railroad industry. It was strong, corrosion-resistant and an excellent insulation. It was easy to install and affordable to make. Asbestos is a known contributor to lung cancer as well as many 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 railroad workers who have been injured file FELA lawsuits to obtain an amount of money for their ailments.
Research has shown that railroad workers are at an increased risk of contracting mesothelioma, as well as other asbestos-related illnesses than the general workforce. This is especially the case for those who worked prior to the 1950s, when trains began to run on diesel engines, instead of steam. These older workers may have been exposed to asbestos while they were building or repairing railroad ties, rail cars and locomotives that were made with this deadly material.
Because mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases have a long period of dormancy, many injured railroad workers didn't recognize they had an illness until years after exposure. If you suffer from any respiratory illness such as COPD, lung cancer or mesothelioma that is related to your prior work on the railroad, it's essential to consult a skilled mesothelioma lawyer right away.