Emphysema Caused by Railroad Exposures
Rail workers are exposed dangerous chemicals and particulates while on the job. This includes diesel exhaust fumes, silica and coal dust.
esophageal cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement can cause emphysema and other lung diseases. People suffering from emphysema have large holes in their lungs (bullae). These holes reduce the size of the air sacs and make breathing more difficult.
Signs and symptoms
The air sacs inside your lungs (alveolis) become damaged. The damage stops the lungs from expanding when they breathe. As a result you may feel short of breath and feel weak. The symptoms are most evident at the end of the illness.
When the walls of your alveoli break down, it creates pockets or bubbles in your lungs. These pockets hold air and can make your chest appear more full and make you appear barrel-chested. The reduced number of alveoli also reduces the quantity of oxygen that is absorbed into your bloodstream.
It can lead to serious problems and even life-threatening issues if the emphysema has advanced. It increases the chance of a collapsed lung (pneumothorax). It can also put strain on your heart, which makes you more susceptible to diseases like bronchitis and pneumonia. It could also lead to large holes in your lungs, called bullae. These holes reduce the amount of space available to the lung to expand and could cause breathing difficulties.
Railroad workers who can prove that on-the-job exposure to diesel exhaust dust and fumes triggered their emphysema are entitled to financial compensation. Our law firm can help you receive the money you deserve. We will assist you through the entire process of filing an claim. Call us for more information on how we can assist.
Diagnosis
The best way to diagnose emphysema is by performing a physical exam. A doctor will listen to your lungs sounds using the medical device known as the an stethoscope (auscultation). You can hear the emphysematic change in your lungs, and see signs of this condition on your chest CT scan or X-ray.
Your doctor might also examine your pulmonary function to assess how well your lungs breathe and exhale air. The tests for pulmonary function include spirometry (spirometry) and arterial blood gases (ABG). An ABG determines the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in your blood, which comes from an artery. This can determine if you require extra oxygen.
Emphysema cannot be reversed, but treatment can slow the progression and improve your quality of life. It can also decrease your risk of complications, such as heart disease. People with severe emphysema can create spaces in the lung, which are known as bullae. They can be as big as a quarter of the lung and decrease the surface area of the lung. People with massive emphysema (bullous emphysema) are at a higher risk of having collapsed lungs (pneumothorax).
Railroad companies are able to stop tens and thousands of railway workers developing lung diseases that can be fatal. When they don't, FELA allows them to be held responsible. Railway employees and are exposed to asbestos, diesel exhaust and other toxic materials have strong grounds to file personal injury and wrongful death claims.
Treatment
The walls that surround the air sacs that line your lungs are damaged, which makes it difficult for your lungs to move oxygen and out. As time passes, this could lead to enlarged lungs that make breathing more difficult and may cause you to cough more often. This is referred to as stage 3 or severe Emphysema.
Emphysema can't be treated, but there are ways to manage the symptoms and increase your the quality of life. Try to stay clear of irritations such as secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes and dusts in your workplace and at home. It is also possible to follow a regular exercise program to strengthen your lungs.
If you are diagnosed with emphysema or emphysema in the will probably suggest a pulmonary function test. This is a test that measures how well your lungs breathe and exhale. It can also be used to test for inflammation in the lungs and determine if you're suffering from an obstruction to your airway or other respiratory ailments. Your doctor may also prescribe an arterial blood gas test (ABG) which measures oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in your blood.
The best method to avoid emphysema is to stop smoking cigarettes and avoid breathing through secondhand smoke. But this isn't an easy task for certain individuals, especially if they have been diagnosed with COPD. Workers who have been exposed to asbestos, diesel exhaust and other chemicals in the workplace should seek compensation for their health issues over the long term from their former railroad employers under FELA.
Settlement
Railroad employees are at risk of developing lung diseases that are debilitating like emphysema as well other respiratory illnesses because of their exposure toxic materials such asbestos and diesel exhaust. Railroad employees who can demonstrate that their job caused or aggravated the pulmonary disease could be eligible for financial compensation. The FELA statute allows for claims of comparative negligence. This means that even if a railroad employee smoked cigarettes, and his or her health issues were partially due to smoking, they could still be held partially liable. Our legal team is prepared to assist injured railroad employees get the compensation they deserve.