Railroad Negligence and COPDFederal Employers Liability (FELA) could provide compensation to someone who contracted COPD due to the negligence of an employer in a railroad. This money can be used to pay for hospital, surgical, or therapeutic treatment. This money also covers expenses that are related to death or disability.A FELA lawyer can review your case to see whether you are eligible to file an occupational health claim.Asbestos ExposureAsbestos is a group of minerals that were used as a fire retardant properties, corrosion-resistant and insulation properties. Asbestos shatters into microscopically fine fibers, which can be inhaled. Inhaling these fibers significantly increases the likelihood of developing lung cancer mesothelioma (a rare type of cancer that forms in the protective lining of the lungs and other organs) and asbestosis (scarring of the lung tissue).Workers in repair shops or track maintenance yards and locomotive cabins are exposed to asbestos. They were also likely take asbestos-containing materials at home. Asbestos is extremely dangerous because when it breaks down it releases toxins which can cause serious health problems.A railroad conductor filed an action under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) against his former employer. The plaintiff claimed that his years spent in the cabs of diesel locomotives caused his debilitating asthma and COPD. He also claimed to have inhaled diesel exhaust and fumes, creosote, chemicals, dust and powders, dioxins sulfur smoke, degreasing and phosphoe agents daily without protection. He suffered from serious health problems that made it difficult to work and led to him incurring costs in the form of hospital, medical, and therapy expenses.Diesel ExhaustFor decades, railroad workers were exposed to a variety of harmful substances such as solvents, coal, and diesel exhaust. A number of studies have linked prolonged exposure to these harmful fumes with lung cancer and lung issues.Diesel exhaust is made up of a variety of chemical compounds, including hydrocarbons, particulates, and carbon monoxide. Additionally, it produces ground-level ozone that reduces visibility. Acid rain also occurs that damages lakes and crops. It gets into the food chain through water, fish and meat. It may also cause asthma and respiratory illnesses and worsen existing heart and lung conditions.According to a study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, individuals who were employed in jobs which required prolonged exposure to diesel fumes had a 2.5 percent higher COPD mortality rate than those who did not work in such occupations. Researchers used proportional hazards models to calculate incidence rates and adjusted for smoking status as well as calendar year and time off to avoid bias due to the effect of a healthy worker survivor.Exposure to diesel fumes can also cause toxic encephalopathy. This condition is characterized as brain damage caused by small amounts of chemical. These chemicals can be absorbed by the skin or the bloodstream, where they travel to the brain and disrupt the normal functioning of the brain. Memory loss and trouble concentrating are signs of this condition.Smoke from tobaccoYou may have been exposed to smoke if you worked in the railroad. Inhaling the smoke of environmental tobacco (ETS) can increase your risk of developing COPD. This is not just from your own smoking but also inhaling smoke from who smokes a cigar, cigarette or pipe. This is referred to as passive smoking or secondhand smoke.ETS contains harmful chemicals in particulates and gasses. The poisonous brew can harm the heart, blood vessels and respiratory system. It can hinder normal cell growth and lead to cancers. It can cause gastrointestinal problems, including stomach ulcers and inflammatory colon diseases. It can cause osteoporosis through decreasing bone density. It can reduce wound healing and increase infection risk.It can make a pregnancy unsafe for both the mother and the fetus. Women who smoke or use products that do not contain smoke are at a higher risk of the ectopic pregnancy. It is a life-threatening condition where the fertilized egg escapes the uterus. This can cause premature birth and miscarriage.In a recent study, researchers found that rail workers who were exposed to diesel exhaust and tobacco smoke were more likely to suffer from COPD symptoms than those who didn't work on railways. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma settlement used information from death certificates or industrial hygiene surveys and multiple imputation in order to determine the smoking history. This method lessens the impact of confounding variables, which could have affected the findings.UndiagnosedAfter decades of exposure to diesel exhaust, coal dust, and other toxins in the workplace, a lot of railroad workers are diagnosed as having an obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The long-term exposures may cause damage to the lungs, and many symptoms might not show up until the later stages. An accurate diagnosis is crucial, so people can receive treatment earlier that will improve their quality of living and possibly extend it.A delayed or inaccurate diagnosis can lead to complications and worsen the health of the patient. A Philadelphia wrong diagnosis attorney can investigate your case and pinpoint medical professionals who could be held accountable for their negligence. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma settlement could include doctors and nurse practitioners, physicians assistants and technologists.Recent research suggests that the guidelines for diagnosing COPD may be flawed which could lead to misdiagnosis in some cases. The researchers examined clinical notes and electronic health records of more than 200 patients. The researchers found that physicians overdiagnose COPD and underestimate the severity of the condition in their patients. They also found that they underestimate the severity of symptoms.Federal Employers Liability Act lawsuits can hold employers responsible for exposing their employees to harmful chemicals that cause lung diseases such as COPD and Mesothelioma. cancer lawsuit settlements of this work-related exposure may not appear for 20-30 or 40 years, which is why FELA permits railroad workers who have been injured to sue for their ailments as long as the statute of limitations expires.