Railroad Settlement For Emphysema
Railroad workers suffer emphysema from years of exposure to toxic fumes, dust and gases. Our FELA law firm helps those who suffer from occupational diseases in filing claims.
Emphysema patients typically rely on compensation from railroad settlements to pay for treatment, hospitalization and costs associated with the condition. This lung condition can be caused by a range of inhaled particles such as diesel exhaust, silica sand and asbestos.
Silica Sand
Silica is a mineral that is found in the earth as tiny grains. It is made of silicon dioxide (SiO2) that has a unique crystal lattice structure that provides it with its hardness and other properties. union pacific settlements is utilized in construction.
Inhaling free silica dust can lead to silicosis, an occupational lung disease that causes the death of the lung. It occurs when small particles of silica crystals enter the lungs, causing inflammation and scarring. As time passes, fibrosis develops around the silica particles, and the lungs become permanently scarred. union pacific settlements makes breathing extremely difficult and may lead to tuberculosis, bronchitis, emphysem or lung cancer.
Railroad workers are exposed to crystalline silica in many different ways, like drilling or hammering rock that contains silica; performing abrasive blasting; and working with masonry and concrete materials. Other sources include rice hulls, sand and other plant tissues that contain silica and certain paints.
The tiniest of silica particles can be inhaled deep into the lungs and can cause damage. Railroads must shield their employees from silica by limiting the time they spend in locations with significant dust from the air. The railroads should also provide mouthpieces and footwear made of sand for employees who use equipment that creates sand from the air. Furthermore, trains should be outfitted with filters that prevent the dispersal of sand into the cabin.
Welding Fumes
When you think of welding it is likely that you see a hardworking welder surrounded with sparkling sparks and graceful curled fumes. The romantic picture quickly fades when you consider the effects of these fumes on workers' health.
Welding fumes can be toxic mixture of gases, metal particles, and chemicals. This mix of elements can harm a welder's health over both long and short exposures. The exact makeup of welding fumes depends on many factors that include the type of metal being welded, the paint and coatings on the metal, as well as the shielding gas used.
Metal fume fever is a common manifestation of welding fumes. It is characterized by flu like symptoms like fatigue chills, aches and chills. The symptoms can are also accompanied by a metallic taste in the mouth, as well as a general feeling of unwellness.
The risk of exposure to welding fumes may be minimized by a range of control measures such as local exhaust ventilators (LEV) and respiratory protection equipment and mechanical general ventilation. It is essential to keep in mind that these solutions should be used only as a last-resort. If welding fumes can't be controlled with these methods, then it is recommended that a COSHH Assessment is required to identify the appropriate control measures. This includes estimating the amount of exposure and considering what steps need to be taken to limit it if preventing it is not practical.
Diesel Exhaust
In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of "cleaner" engines for trucks and various vehicle types. For those who work in the fields of construction and agriculture as well as other sectors that use large equipment that burns fuel, are still exposed to the dangerous fumes. These fumes contain hundreds of harmful chemicals that can cause damage to the skin, lungs, and internal organs.
Diesel exhaust fumes are frequently inhaled by railroad workers driving trains. Additionally, railroad shop employees who are required to remain in the locomotive while it is in the shops could also be exposed to these toxic fumes.
The diesel exhaust that is produced by diesel engines contains unburned fuel, as well as numerous harmful chemicals. These chemicals include particulate (soot) hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. Breathing in high concentrations of these contaminants can cause respiratory symptoms like coughing irritation of the throat and nose and shortness of breath. It can also cause an accumulation of fluid in the lungs.
Studies have revealed that diesel exhaust may increase the risk for lung cancer in humans. This has prompted the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization) to classify diesel exhaust as carcinogenic for humans.
Asbestos
Asbestos is a hazard that was once commonly employed in the railroad industry. Multiple myeloma settlements was durable, resistant to corrosion and an excellent insulator. It was easy to install and cheap to manufacture. Asbestos is linked to lung cancer and many other illnesses. The mesothelioma experts at Simmons Hanly Conroy are familiar with the effect asbestos exposure can have on a railroad worker's health and life. We assist railroad workers injured by asbestos to make FELA lawsuits to seek financial compensation for their diseases and injuries.
Research has found that railroad workers are at a higher risk of mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases than the rest of the workforce. This is especially relevant to those who been employed 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, repairing or sanding the rail cars, ties, and locomotives that were made with this deadly material.
Since asbestos-related diseases and mesothelioma have a long dormancy period and many railroad workers who were injured did not realize they had an illness until decades after their exposure. If you have a respiratory illness such as COPD lung carcinoma, COPD or mesothelioma that is related to your work in the railroad industry it is essential that you consult an attorney for mesothelioma right away.