Bronchiolitis Obliterans Lawsuit

Bronchiolitis obliterans is a rare respiratory disease directly linked to the exposure and inhalation of Diacetyl — the chemical used in butter flavoring in microwave popcorn and other food products.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with bronchiolitis obliterans or Popcorn Workers’ Lung after being exposed to Diacetyl, you should contact us immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a bronchiolitis obliterans lawsuit and we can help.

What’s the problem?

In August 2000, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services requested technical assistance from National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) in an investigation of bronchiolitis obliterans in former workers of a microwave popcorn plant in Jasper, Missouri.

Since the original NIOSH bronchiolitis obliterans investigation, there has been nationwide outbreak of cases occurring within the microwave popcorn industry and other flavor and extract industries.

Learn More: Exposure to Diacetyl Linked to Popcorn Workers’ Lung

What is Bronchiolitis Obliterans?

Bronchiolitis obliterans is rare and irreversible lung disease that affects workers exposed to the vapors of the chemical Diacetyl (butter flavoring).

In bronchiolitis obliterans, inflammation and scarring occur in the smallest airways of the lung and can lead to severe and disabling shortness of breath.

Bronchiolitis obliterans is the formal name, however it is also referred to as Popcorn Workers’ Lung or Popcorn Lung Disease because it has been most commonly found in employees of microwave popcorn plants and within the butter flavorings industry.

Symptoms of Bronchiolitis Obliterans

Usually the symptoms of bronchiolitis obliterans are gradual in onset and progressive, but severe symptoms can occur suddenly. The symptoms are as follows:

Scarring and hardening of lung tissue
Cough (usually without phlegm)
Shortness of breath on exertion
Weight loss
Night sweats
Fever
Skin peeling
Eye, nose, throat and skin irritation

Misdiagnosis Alert – Asthma, Bronchitis, Pneumonia & Emphysema

Unfortunately, bronchiolitis obliterans is frequently misdiagnosed by physicians as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia or emphysema.

If you work within the microwave popcorn industry or any other industry that uses Diacetyl and have been diagnosed with Asthma, Bronchitis, Pneumonia or Emphysema, you may still have a case.

Treatment

According to NIOSH, workers should be promptly referred for further medical evaluation if they have persistent cough; persistent shortness of breath on exertion; frequent or persistent symptoms of eye, nose, throat, or skin irritation; abnormal lung function on spirometry testing; or accelerated decline in lung function. Physicians should advise workers about any suspected or confirmed medical condition that may be caused or aggravated by work exposures, about recommendations for further evaluation and treatment, and specifically about any recommended restriction of the worker’s exposure (including removal from the workplace) or use of personal protective equipment. Severe cases may not respond to medical treatment. Affected workers generally notice a gradual reduction or cessation of cough years after they are no longer exposed to flavoring vapors, but shortness of breath on exertion persists. Several with very severe disease were placed on lung transplant waiting lists. Workers exposed to flavorings may also experience eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation. In some cases, chemical eye burns have required medical treatment.

Do I Have a Bronchiolitis Obliterans Lawsuit?

The Toxic Tort Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in bronchiolitis obliterans lawsuits. We are handling individual and group litigation nationwide and currently accepting new bronchiolitis obliterans cases in all 50 states.