Railroad Settlement For Emphysema
Emphysema is the result of years of exposure to toxic gases and fumes. Our FELA law firm assists with filing occupational disease claims.
Emphysema patients usually rely on compensation received from railroad settlements to pay for hospitalization, surgeries and other costs related to the condition. This lung disease can be caused by a range of inhaled particles, including diesel exhaust, silica sand, and asbestos.
Silica Sand
Silica is found in the Earth's crust in tiny pieces of. It is made of silicon dioxide (SiO2) which has unique crystal structure that gives it hardness and other characteristics. It is used extensively in construction.
Inhaling silica dust that is free can cause silicosis. It is an occupational lung disease that causes the death of the lungs. It happens when tiny particles of crystalline silica get into the lungs and cause inflammation and scarring. As time passes, fibrosis develops around the silica particles, and the lungs become permanently scarred. This can result in lung cancer, emphysema or bronchitis.
Rail workers can be exposed in many ways to crystalline silicon, including by hammering and drilling rock containing silica, performing abrasive blasting and working with concrete or bricks and mortar. Other sources of crystalline silica include rice hulls and sand, and other plant tissues containing silica and certain types of paints.
The tiniest particles of silica are inhaled deep into the lungs and can cause damage. Railroads must shield their employees from silica by restricting the time they spend in areas with significant dust from the air. The railroads should also provide sandless footwear and mouthpieces for employees who use equipment that creates sand from the air. union pacific settlements should also be equipped with filters to prevent dust from entering the cab.
Welding Fumes
When you think of welding, you're likely to picture a hard-working welder who is surrounded by sparkling sparks and a graceful curling fume. The romantic image quickly fades when you think about the effect of the fumes that are released into the air on the health of workers.
Welding fumes are toxic mixture of gasses, metal particles and other chemicals. This mixture of elements can affect a welder’s health, both in the short-term as well as the long-term exposure. The exact makeup of welding fumes varies based on many factors including the type of metal being welded, the paint and coatings on the metal, as well as the shielding gas used.
Whatever the composition of welding fumes. A common result for the welder is metal fume fever, characterized by flu-like symptoms, such as chills, fatigue and aches. The symptoms can also include a metallic taste in your mouth and a general feeling of unwellness.
Exposure to welding fumes can be reduced by a variety of control measures, such as local exhaust ventilation (LEV), respiratory protective equipment and mechanical general ventilation. It is crucial to remember that these options should only be used as a last-resort. If welding fumes can't be managed by these methods, then it is recommended that a COSHH Assessment is required to determine the most appropriate control measures. This is done by estimating the level of exposure and determining what steps are needed to limit it, if prevention is not reasonable.
Diesel Exhaust
In recent years, there has been a rise in the use of "cleaner" engines for trucks and various vehicle types. However, union pacific settlements who work in the fields of agriculture, construction and other services that utilize large machines that burn diesel fuel are still exposed to this harmful fume. The fumes are a mixture of harmful chemicals that could cause harm to the lungs, skin and internal organs.
Railroad employees who operate trains are frequently exposed to diesel exhaust fumes from locomotives while they travel across the track or return in the engine cab. union pacific settlements can be breathed in by railroad shop workers, who may be forced to remain in the locomotive while it is in the shop.
The diesel exhaust released from diesel engines is made up of fuel that is not burned as well as several toxic chemicals. These chemicals comprise particulate (soot), hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds. Breathing in high concentrations of these pollutants could lead to respiratory symptoms such as a cough and irritation in the nose and throat, and shortness of breathe. It may also trigger an increase in fluids in the lungs.
Studies have revealed that diesel exhaust can increase the risk for lung cancer in humans. This has led the International Agency for Research on Cancer (part of the World Health Organization) to classify diesel exhaust as carcinogenic for humans.
Asbestos
Asbestos used to be a common material in the railroad industry. It was tough and resistant to corrosion. It was also an excellent insulation. It was also inexpensive to manufacture and easy install in rail automobiles. However, asbestos is linked to many kinds of lung cancer and other illnesses. The mesothelioma lawyers of Simmons Hanly Conroy are familiar with the impact asbestos exposure has on a railroad worker’s health and life. We assist injured railroad employees submit FELA lawsuits to seek financial compensation for their diseases and injuries.
Railroad employees are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma, asbestos-related diseases, and other illnesses than the rest of the workforce. This is especially the case for those who worked before 1950 when railroads changed from steam to diesel engines. Multiple myeloma settlements could have been exposed to asbestos while they were building, repairing or sanding railroad ties, rail cars and locomotives that were made with asbestos, a deadly material.
Because mesothelioma and asbestos-related illnesses have a long dormancy period that many railroad workers did not realize they had an illness until decades after their exposure. If you have an underlying respiratory disease such as COPD lung cancer, COPD or mesothelioma that has a connection to your prior work on the railroad, it is crucial to speak with a seasoned mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible.