Emphysema Caused by Railroad Exposures
Rail workers are exposed dangerous chemicals and particulates while on the job. This includes coal and mineral dusts as well as diesel exhaust fumes, and silica.
bladder cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement can cause lung diseases like emphysema, among others. Emphysema can cause large holes (bullae) in the lung. These holes decrease the size of the air sacs and make breathing difficult.
Signs and symptoms
In emphysema conditions, the air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs are damaged. The damage stops the lungs from expanding when they breathe. You may feel weak and have shortness of breath as the result. Symptoms are most noticeable in the final stages of the disease.
When the alveoli's walls break, it creates the appearance of a bubble or pouch within your lungs. These pockets may hold in air and make your chest appear fuller. The lower number of alveoli decreases the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream.
It can cause serious issues that can be life-threatening in the event that the emphysema has progressed. For example, it increases the risk of collapsed lung (pneumothorax). It can also strain your heart which makes you more prone to infections like pneumonia and lung bronchitis. It may also cause massive holes in the lungs called bullae, which reduces the space available for the lung to expand. It could also lead to breathing difficulties.
Rail workers who can prove their emphysema was the result of exposure to dust, diesel fumes or exhaust during their work can be eligible for compensation. Our law firm can help you get the compensation you are entitled to. We're here to assist you through the entire process of submitting an insurance claim. Contact us today for more information on how we can assist.
Diagnosis
A physical exam is the best method of diagnosing Emphysema. A doctor will listen to your lung sounds with an instrument that is used for medical purposes called a stethoscope (auscultation). You can hear the emphysematic change in your lungs, and can detect signs of the condition on your chest CT scan or an X-ray.
Your doctor might also assess your pulmonary function to determine how well you breathe and exhale. Tests for pulmonary function include spirometry as well as arterial blood gas (ABG). An ABG measures the amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen in your bloodstream from an artery. This test will help determine if require additional oxygen.
Treatment can slow down the progression of emphysema. It can also improve your health. It also lowers the chance of complications such as heart disease. Bullae are voids which can develop in the lungs of patients with severe emphysema. lung cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement can be up to half the size of a lung, and can reduce the surface area. People who have a large emphysema (bullous emphysema) are at a higher risk of having a collapsed lungs (pneumothorax).
Railroad companies are able to stop tens and thousands of railway workers developing lung diseases that can be debilitating. FELA allows railroad companies to be held responsible when they fail to protect their employees. Railroad employees and have on-the-job exposure to diesel exhaust, asbestos and other toxic substances have strong grounds to file personal injury and claims for wrongful death.
Treatment
The walls between the air sacs that line your lungs are damaged, making it difficult for your lungs to move oxygen in and out. In time, this may cause enlarged lungs, which make it difficult to breathe and can cause you to cough more often. This is referred to as stage 3 or severe Emphysema.
lung cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement cannot be treated However, you can take steps to help manage symptoms and improve the quality of your life. Try to stay clear of the irritants that cause irritation, such as secondhand smoke pollutants in the air, chemical fumes and dusts at home and workplace. You can also enhance your lungs by completing the same routine of exercise.
If you are diagnosed with emphysema, your doctor may recommend pulmonary function testing. This can include spirometry, which determines how well your lungs inhale and exhale. It can also be used to check for inflammation in the lungs and determine if you're suffering from an obstruction of the airway or any other respiratory issues. 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 prevent emphysema is to stop smoking or breathing secondhand smoke. However, this isn't an easy task for certain people, especially when they are diagnosed with COPD. Workers who were exposed asbestos, diesel exhausts or other chemical substances at work should seek compensation from their former railroad employers for their chronic illnesses under FELA.
Settlement
A significant proportion of railroad workers develop chronic lung diseases such as emphysema, among others, because of their work-related exposures to diesel exhaust, asbestos and other toxic substances. Railroad employees who can prove their job caused or aggravated lung disease could be entitled to financial compensation. The FELA law allows for finding of comparative negligence. This means that even if an employee smoked cigarettes and his or her health problems were partly caused by smoking, the railroad could be held partly responsible. Our legal team is ready to help injured railroad workers obtain the compensation they deserve.