For decades, railroad workers have helped keep America’s economy moving. Whether working on locomotives, in locomotive repair shops, maintenance-of-way operations, rail yards, signal departments, or mechanical facilities, railroad employees were often exposed to a variety of dusts, fumes, and toxic substances. Unfortunately, many workers are now discovering that these exposures may have serious long-term health consequences. One disease that has become an increasing concern among railroad workers is pulmonary fibrosis.
What Is Pulmonary Fibrosis?
Pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic and progressive lung disease that causes scarring of the lung tissue. As the lungs become scarred, they lose their ability to transfer oxygen efficiently into the bloodstream. Over time, breathing becomes more difficult, and even routine activities can lead to exhaustion and shortness of breath.
Symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis may include:
- Shortness of breath
- Persistent dry cough
- Fatigue
- Chest discomfort
- Unexplained weight loss
- Finger and toe clubbing
Because the disease often develops slowly, many workers may not recognize symptoms until significant lung damage has already occurred. The disease can lead to significant disability and death. Often times, pulmonary fibrosis treatment options can be limited.
Railroad Exposures Linked to Pulmonary Fibrosis
Numerous workplace exposures found throughout the railroad industry have been associated with lung scarring and other respiratory diseases.
Silica Dust
Railroad maintenance workers frequently work around ballast, track construction, and other activities that generate respirable silica dust. Engineers and conductors may be exposed from use of silica sand on rails for traction. Inhaling silica particles can damage lung tissue and has been linked to pulmonary fibrosis and other serious respiratory conditions.
Asbestos
For decades, asbestos was widely used throughout the railroad industry in insulation, brake components, locomotives, railcars, and maintenance facilities. Exposure to asbestos fibers has been linked to pulmonary fibrosis, asbestosis, many types of cancer, and mesothelioma.
Diesel Exhaust
Locomotive engineers, conductors, mechanics, shop workers, machine operators, and others may experience long-term exposure to diesel exhaust. Diesel particulate matter contains microscopic particles capable of penetrating deep into the lungs, where they may contribute to chronic respiratory damage, including fibrosis and various cancer types and leukemia.
Welding Fumes
Many railroad workers perform welding, cutting, and fabrication tasks. Welding fumes can contain metal particles and toxic gases that may contribute to lung inflammation and long-term respiratory disease and cancer.
Why Railroad Workers Face Unique Risks
Unlike workers in many other industries, railroad employees often experience multiple hazardous exposures over the course of a career that may span 20, 30, or even 40 years. Daily exposure to dusts, fumes, and airborne contaminants can create a cumulative effect that significantly increases the risk of serious lung disease.
Many workers were never warned about these risks or provided with adequate respiratory protection. The fact that many of the largest railroads in the country, including predecessors to Union Pacific, CSX, Conrail, and Norfolk Southern (NS), knew for many decades that these toxic dust exposures could be deadly, makes the railroads’ failure to act even more inexcusable.
Can Pulmonary Fibrosis Be Caused by Occupational Exposure?
Yes. Medical researchers have identified occupational exposures as a significant factor in the development of pulmonary fibrosis and related interstitial lung diseases. While some cases are labeled “idiopathic” (meaning the cause is unknown), occupational exposure histories are often overlooked during diagnosis.
For railroad workers, a detailed review of workplace conditions often reveals years of exposure to substances linked to lung damage, including pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, asbestosis and silicosis. As highlighted in a prior blog, these same exposures have been linked to cancer in railroad workers.
What Are Your Rights Under FELA?
The Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) allows injured railroad workers to seek compensation when a railroad’s negligence contributes to their injury or occupational disease. FELA allows active and retired workers to recover damages for:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages, including loss of earning capacity
- Disability and reduced quality of life
To recover under FELA, workers must generally show that the railroad’s negligence played any part in causing their illness.
Can I Bring a FELA Claim Even If I Am Retired?
Yes. In fact, the majority of our cancer clients are retired. Even if you have been retired for 10, 20, or 30-plus years you are entitled to compensation.
A prior blog discusses the FELA’s three-year statute of limitations (time deadline). Essentially the worker must bring the claim within 3 years of when he/she discovers that their lung problems (or cancer) could be work-related.
Waiting too long to investigate your rights can affect your ability to pursue a claim.
Contact Our Railroad Occupational Disease Attorneys
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis after a career in the railroad industry, you may have legal rights under FELA. Our railroad pulmonary fibrosis lawyers represent railroad workers suffering from occupational lung diseases caused by asbestos, silica, diesel exhaust, welding fumes, and other toxic workplace exposures.
Contact us by email or at 1-800-374-2144 today for a free confidential consultation to discuss your case.
