Many workers in the United States have manual jobs that require them to work in coal mines and other areas that require the use of respirators or dust masks. These masks help protect your lungs from harmful airborne dust particles. These devices are supposed to purify the air as workers inhale creating clean air to breathe. Since the late 1930s, respirators have been manufactured in the United States. Manufacturers in these divisions include Mine Safety Appliances Company, 3M, Welsh-Norton, Moldex, and many others.
Unfortunately, many types of respirators used by coal miners and asbestos workers are unsafe and have leaked harmful dust into workers’ lungs. As a result of these defective respirators, workers have contracted many serious medical diseases, including mesothelioma, silicosis, and black lung disease. These diseases force workers to undergo very complicated medical procedures, such as lunch transplants and other major surgeries.
Lung transplant surgery is required to replace one or both diseased lungs with healthy lungs from an organ donor. Because these procedures are becoming more common, the success rate increases substantially. In 2004, about 1,200 patients received lung transplants, and the number is increasing in 2006. However, due to the overwhelming demand and lack of supply for this procedure, many Americans are unable to have the operation.
The lung transplant procedure is generally the last resort for patients with chronic lung disease. Many times, the reason patients need these operations is because they have been wearing a faulty respirator for too long. These problems are classified as “obstructive” or “restrictive,” which are related to the volume of air the lungs can hold. Obstructive is when there is a decrease in the flow of exhaled air, while Restrictive means a decrease in the total volume of air that the lungs can hold. Complications can also arise from these conditions, often resulting in a lung transplant.
Victims of ailments such as silicosis, asbestosis, and black lung often find it difficult to understand who is to blame. Occupational injuries, such as broken bones, burns, and cuts, are easily recognized, but long-term injuries, such as lung disease, are more difficult to identify. The real tragedy is that many times these diseases were contracted after long hours of work with faulty respirators. In many cases, the manufacturers of these respirators must be held liable for their negligence.
If you or someone you love has been affected by a breathing device that has leaked toxins, you should seek an attorney immediately. A qualified attorney can help you understand your legal rights and receive compensation for your injuries.