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Railroad Injury and Asthma

Diesel fumes are often present in the workplace of railroad workers. Long-term exposure to diesel fumes can cause respiratory problems like asthma.

The condition could cause serious complications that may interfere with daily activities. It may also lead to permanent disability. Asthma sufferers due to exposure to chemicals at work could be eligible for disability benefits.

Signs and symptoms

Asthma is a condition that can last for a long time that causes the airways of the lungs narrow and then expand which makes it difficult to breathe. The difficulty breathing can range from mild to severe and is triggered by a variety of things. When you have an asthma attack, it could be life-threatening and leads to a variety of symptoms like wheezing, chest tightness, coughing or shortness of breath (dyspnea). You might also experience fatigue and confusion. In severe cases, you might even faint.

A number of studies have found that those who are exposed to certain chemicals, toxic fumes and chemicals could be at risk of developing occupational asthma. Solvents, diesel exhaust and other chemical vapors are just a few of these substances. Long-term exposure to diesel fumes can also lead to serious health problems such as lung cancer and heart diseases.

Occupational asthma can develop slowly over a period of months or even years or it can develop suddenly due to only one exposure to high levels of irritant fumes, vapors or smoke. Brooks and al.9 and Tarlo and Broder10 have suggested that workers could suffer from respiratory illness within a few hours after a single exposure to an irritant.

Rail companies should ensure that their locomotive cabs are adequately ventilated and provide safety equipment for their employees. Failure to do so may cause respiratory ailments and other medical conditions, like occupational asthma. Railroad workers suffering from these conditions can claim compensation for their losses through the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

Diagnosis

While on the job train workers are exposed to many toxic chemicals and substances. Diesel exhaust, silica from rail ballast and lawsuit asbestos from locomotive sandhoppers all are toxic substances. Workers can also be exposed by derailments to harmful substances, such as chlorine. It is often difficult for doctors to determine the symptoms of chemical exposure. Many symptoms mimic other conditions and some might be delayed in their onset. It is important to report any respiratory problems and visit a doctor as soon as possible to ensure that the symptoms can be identified and the cause identified.

The diagnosis of IIA can be established with high confidence when there is a clear, temporal relationship between an incident of accidental inhalation and manifestation of asthma symptoms. Symptoms that occur within 24 hours of the event of high-level exposure, should be considered to be definite IIA. Symptoms that develop more insidiously and are preceded by a latent period of unaffected exposure should be classified as probable IIA.

Exposure to diesel exhaust over time could cause "diesel asthma," an obstructive lung disease. It is characterized by wheezing and breathing difficulties. It can lead to lung cancer and heart disease. If you believe that your work-related exposure is a cause of this illness, you should consult a railroad injury attorney as soon as you can.

Treatment

Inhaling diesel fumes over prolonged period of time can lead to numerous health problems, including respiratory disorders such as asthma. Railroad workers typically have to work in areas where they are exposed to the fumes. These employees include brakemen, switchmen, engineers, carmen and locomotive shop workers. If you've been diagnosed with asthma, a railroad accident attorney can help hold your employer responsible for your condition.

Some cases of occupational asthma develop suddenly after exposures at high levels. This can include the irritant vapors or fumes. Expert authors refer to this phenotype in clinical terms as definite IIA or reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS) or no latency phase IIA (nonimmunologic OA).

Some reports define occupational asthma as a delayed onset among individuals who have been exposed to moderate levels of irritating substances over a prolonged period of time. This phenotype of clinical manifestation is described by various names, such as low-dose/low intensity RADS or low-intensity chronic exposure OA (IIA with latency) or non-sudden OA.

It is essential that certified athletic trainers, allied health professionals, and other healthcare professionals recognize occupational asthma. They must also be able to recognize it and provide appropriate medical management. This will help to prevent the negative effects of this condition and minimize impairment resulting from its impact on the workforce.

Disability Benefits

Asthma, and other pulmonary diseases can make it impossible to work. If you are experiencing persistent and unrelenting symptoms, you should consult a workers compensation lawyer to discuss your disability benefits.

The symptoms of asthma are not predictable and can be triggered by anything from an allergic reaction to airborne substances and infections, to exercise, or extreme emotions like anger and excitement, or shouting. The cause of asthma is not known, but it is well-known that the poor are more likely to develop the condition due to their inability to access medical treatment.

Railroad workers are often exposed to dangerous work environments where they are exposed to exhaust fumes from diesel engines. These harmful mixtures comprise sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and polyaromatic hydrocarbons and benzene, have been proven to cause lung cancer and breathing problems. The exposure to these pollutants could also worsen other lung diseases, such chronic obstructive respiratory disease (COPD).

Your employer has a responsibility to ensure your safety while on the job and shield you from injury. Failure to do so could be cause for a FELA lawsuit. A locomotive engineer who was 61 years old recently received a verdict of $625,000 from a jury against Norfolk Southern Railway for developing "diesel asthma," resulting in the need to retire early. The case was based on the union's claim that NS violated FELA by failing to provide adequate ventilation for locomotive cabs. Workers were exposed to diesel fumes constantly over a long period of time.