Railroad Negligence and COPD Federal Employers Liability (FELA) could provide compensation to those who contracted COPD because of the negligence of an railroad company. The funds can be used to pay for hospitals, therapeutic and surgical treatment. This money also covers expenses related to disability or death. A FELA lawyer can assess your case to determine if you have grounds to file an occupational illness claim. Asbestos Exposure Asbestos is a class of minerals that were previously used to protect against fire properties, corrosion-resistant and insulation properties. When asbestos breaks down it releases microscopically thin fibers which can be inhaled. Inhaling these fibers can significantly increase the risk of developing lung cancer mesothelioma (a rare type of cancer that is found in the lining that protects the lung and other organs) and asbestosis (scarring of the lung tissue). Workers in repair shops as well as track maintenance yards and locomotive cabins are exposed to asbestos. They were also likely to bring asbestos-containing items to their homes. Asbestos can be very dangerous, because it releases toxins when it is broken down. These toxins can lead to serious health problems. A railroad conductor filed a lawsuit under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) against his former employer. The plaintiff claimed that years spent in the cabins of diesel locomotives caused his chronic asthma and COPD. He also claimed to have inhaled diesel exhaust and fumes as well as creosote, chemicals dust and powders, dioxins sulfur smoke, degreasing and phosphoe agents daily without any protection. This resulted in him suffering from severe health conditions that have made it hard to work and led him to incur hospital, medical, surgical and therapeutic expenses. Diesel Exhaust Railroad workers were exposed for a long time to harmful substances like solvents, coal and diesel exhaust. Numerous studies have linked lung diseases and cancer to long-term exposure. Diesel exhaust contains a range of chemical compounds, including particulates, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. It also produces ground-level ozone which decreases visibility. Acid rain also occurs that damages lakes and crops. It gets into the food chain via water, fish and meat. It may also cause respiratory diseases and asthma, and worsen existing heart and lung conditions. According to a study in Environmental Health Perspectives published in 2007, individuals who worked in positions that required long exposure to diesel vapors had an COPD mortality rate that was 2.5 percent more than those who did not. The researchers employed proportional risk models to estimate the incidence rates and adjusted for smoking status as well as calendar year and time off work to control for bias due to the effect of a healthy worker survivor. Exposure to diesel fumes could cause toxic encephalopathy. This condition is described as brain damage caused by small amounts of chemical. These chemicals can be absorbed through the skin or into the bloodstream, where they move to the brain and disrupt the normal functioning of the brain. Signs of this disorder include memory loss as well as difficulty concentrating. Tobacco Smoke You might have been exposed to smoke if you worked in the railroad. Inhaling smoke from environmental tobacco (ETS) can increase your risk of developing COPD. This is not just from smoking your own cigarettes but also inhaling smoke from someone other person's cigar, cigarette or pipe. This is known as passive smoking or secondhand tobacco smoke. ETS contains harmful chemical compounds in particulates as well as gases. Its corrosive brew could harm the blood vessels, heart and respiratory system. It may interfere with normal cell growth and can lead to cancers. It can cause digestive issues, including stomach ulcers and inflammation of the bowel. It may cause osteoporosis due to diminuting bone density. It may hinder wound healing and increase the risk of getting infections. It can even make pregnancy risky for both mother and fetus. Women who smoke or consume smokeless tobacco products during pregnancy are at higher risk for an ectopic pregnancy. This is a potentially fatal condition in which the fertilized egg becomes attached outside the uterus. This can cause premature birth or miscarriage. Multiple myeloma settlements found in a recent study that railroad workers exposed to diesel fumes as well as tobacco smoke had significantly more COPD symptoms compared to those who did not work on the railways. The study utilized information from death certificates, industrial hygiene surveys and multiple Imputation to determine the smoking history. This method lessens the impact of confounding variables that could have affected the findings. Undiagnosed Many railroad workers are diagnosed with obstructive lung disease (COPD) after decades spent breathing diesel exhaust, coal dust and other toxins during their work. Long-term exposures to pollutants can damage the lungs, and a lot of the symptoms may not be apparent until the latter stages of the disease. A precise diagnosis is essential so that patients can receive early treatment that can improve their quality of living and, in some cases, extend it. A delayed or incorrect diagnosis can worsen the patient's health and result in other complications. A Philadelphia lawyer who is able to correct a wrong diagnosis can examine your case and help you identify medical providers who may be held accountable for their negligence. These include doctors, nurse practitioner, physician assistants, and technologists. A recent study has suggested that the guidelines for diagnosing COPD are faulty, leading in certain cases to a misdiagnosis. Researchers examined electronic health records and notes from clinical studies of more than 200 000 patients. The researchers found that physicians overdiagnose COPD and overestimate the frequency of the condition in their patients. They also discovered that they underestimate the severity of symptoms. Federal Employers Liability Act lawsuits can be used to hold employers accountable for exposing employees to harmful chemicals that can cause lung diseases such as COPD and Mesothelioma. FELA allows railroad workers who are injured to sue after the statute of limitations runs out.
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