Pulmonary Fibrosis Caused by Railroad - How to Get a Settlement
A lawsuit will not relieve your suffering or pain and it isn't able to bring back a loved one. However the Federal Employers Liability Act may make railroad companies accountable. Railroads that were aware of asbestos mesothelioma, lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis risk but did nothing about them could be held accountable.
A successful FELA claim requires an accurate diagnosis and a thorough work history. An experienced attorney can help with these issues.
What is Pulmonary Fibrosis?
The lung disease pulmonary fibrosis causes scar tissue to accumulate in the lungs. The scar tissue can make breathing difficult because it affects the connective tissues between the air sacs that are tiny inside the lung (alveoli). It also hinders oxygen flow from the alveoli to the bloodstream during inhalation. The lack of oxygen coupled with the stiff, hardened scar tissue can cause symptoms like breath shortness particularly during exercise or work.
The symptoms may change over time, depending on the person. People with pulmonary fibrosis have mild symptoms, which gradually get worse over time. Some people have more severe symptoms, which get worse quickly.
The condition can also make you more vulnerable to infections due to your immune system less strong. Therefore, it is essential to eat healthy, workout regularly and keep up with your vaccinations.
The only way to slow the progress of pulmonary fibrosis is to use certain treatments. There is no cure for it, but they can help improve your quality of life. They include pirfenidone, Esbriet and nintedanib Ofev. These drugs can slow the damage to your lung. copd caused by railroad how to get a settlement for treatment include additional oxygen or pulmonary rehabilitation as well as lung transplant surgery. Doran and Murphy PLLC has extensive experience representing railroad workers who have developed pulmonary fibrosis from exposure to fumes and dust on the job, including asbestos from brake shoes and pipe insulation, silica from track sanding dust that cut steel rail and welding fumes.
What is the cause of Pulmonary Fibrosis?
The lung is affected by scarring known as pulmonary fibrisis. It damages lung tissue which decreases the amount of oxygen that gets to the bloodstream when you breathe.
copd caused by railroad how to get a settlement develops over time and the symptoms worsen as the scarring becomes more serious. It's not reversible, but treatments can help improve your quality of life and reduce the progress of the disease.
Smoking is the most common cause of pulmonary fibrosis however there are other causes too. Exposed to harmful chemicals or environmental substances like toxic gasses and chemical fumes can cause fibrosis.
When people smoke, they build up carbon deposits reminiscent of tar in their lungs, which increase their chances of getting this disease. Other risk factors include the effects of air pollution, emphysema, and a variety of other diseases.
The majority of people suffering from pulmonary fibrosis suffer from a persistent dry cough and shortness of breath, especially when they perform exercise. Some people overlook these signs or believe they are the result of the aging process. However, the issue will slowly get worse.
esophageal cancer caused by railroad how to get a settlement can identify pulmonary fibrosis by asking about your medical history and doing physical examination. They can listen to the lungs with a stethoscope and examine an X-ray or high-resolution CT or X-ray to detect abnormalities like honeycomb patterns, ground-glass opacities, as well as fine lines known as reticulations. They can also measure how much oxygen is being taken in by your body and assess the blood pressure in your lungs.
How can I get a Settlement for Pulmonary Fibrosis?
If you worked for a railroad company and have been diagnosed with lung cancer or fibrosis, or any other kind of chronic illness serious due to your exposure to harmful substances on the job and you have the right to make a claim under Federal Employers Liability Act. A pulmonary-fibrosis settlement may aid in covering medical expenses, loss of income as well as long-term disability and other expenses.
In the past, railroads exposed workers to hazardous workplace chemicals such as asbestos and other carcinogenic substances. Inhaling or inhaling these toxic fumes and dusts exposes workers to the risk of developing respiratory illnesses like idiopathic lung fibrosis and lung cancer.
Railroads exposed their workers dangerous substances without warning or providing them with safety equipment. In the end, a lot of sufferers have lost loved relatives to these debilitating ailments. If you have been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, contact our railroad fibrosis lawyers today to learn what we can do to assist you.
Contact Us Today
If you've been diagnosed with a lung problem such as pulmonary fibrosis, or if someone you love has passed away from mesothelioma or a different lung disease that is linked to railroad exposure, our Virginia lawyers might be able to assist. We represent railroad workers injured and their families under the provisions of a federal law called the Federal Employers Liability Act, or FELA.
We have thousands of pages which demonstrate that railroad companies were aware for decades that exposure to diesel exhaust, dusts and fumes as well asbestos can cause serious lung injuries. Yet, many railroads didn't adequately warn workers or provide respiratory protection. Some railroads continued to use asbestos and other potentially hazardous substances long after it was clear that the material caused tens of thousands of railroad workers to get sick or even die.
Lung diseases like fibrosis or mesothelioma can take between 20 and 30 years before they exhibit symptoms. It can be difficult to establish any direct connection between a person's condition and their work history. An experienced attorney can assist injured railroad workers and grieving family members put together a detailed work history and connect it with the diagnosis of lung cancer.
Contact us today to find out more about how we can assist you. An attorney can help you apply for any benefits that can help you pay for your care costs.