Understanding Popcorn Lung and Your Legal Options
If you’ve heard the term “popcorn lung,” you might wonder if it’s real, how it develops, what symptoms to look for, and whether you can take legal action if you’ve been exposed. Popcorn lung, formally known as bronchiolitis obliterans, is a serious and potentially permanent lung disease caused by inhaling certain chemicals. One of the most well-known culprits is diacetyl, a chemical that was once commonly used in microwave popcorn factories to create a buttery flavor.
Although many companies have stopped using diacetyl in popcorn manufacturing, the chemical is still found in some e-cigarette and vape products, flavorings, food production environments, coffee roasting facilities, and workplaces where chemical inhalation risks are high. If your lungs were damaged due to chemical exposure on the job or through products you used, you may be entitled to compensation.
At Orange Law Firm, we help individuals in Texas and nationwide understand their rights when toxic exposure leads to illness. Here’s everything you need to know about popcorn lung, its connection to wrongful exposure, and how you can pursue a legal claim.
What Is Popcorn Lung?
Popcorn lung is scarring and inflammation of the small airways in your lungs, making it hard to breathe. It’s not caused by eating popcorn, but by inhaling harmful chemicals, especially diacetyl. When these chemicals enter your lungs, they damage the bronchioles and cause narrowing of the air passages over time.
Once scar tissue forms, the damage is typically irreversible. Early detection and proper treatment can help you manage symptoms, but advanced cases may require oxygen therapy or lung transplants.
Symptoms of Popcorn Lung
You may not notice symptoms right away because popcorn lung often develops gradually. The most common signs include:
- Persistent dry cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue and wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Rapid breathing
- Respiratory infections
If you’ve worked in a chemical-heavy environment or regularly used vape products and now struggle with breathing issues, you should see a doctor immediately. Early testing, including CT scans and lung function evaluations, can confirm the diagnosis.
What Causes Popcorn Lung?
Popcorn lung is most commonly associated with inhalation of diacetyl, but that’s not the only trigger. Here are the leading causes:
1. Workplace Exposure
People in the following jobs have the highest risk:
- Microwave popcorn factories
- Flavoring production facilities
- Coffee roasting plants
- E-cigarette manufacturing settings
- Certain chemical plants
- Food packaging or processing industries
Workers in these environments may inhale toxic vapors daily, often without adequate protective equipment or ventilation.
2. Vaping and E-Cigarettes
Many vape liquids contain diacetyl or other harmful flavoring chemicals. When heated and inhaled, these particles can reach deep into your lungs. Some studies found that thousands of vape flavors still contain diacetyl despite public health concerns.
3. Chemical Accidents or Poor Regulation
If your employer failed to follow OSHA guidelines or didn’t warn you about the risks, you may have a legal case. Companies have a duty to protect workers from toxic exposure.
4. Other Environmental Exposures
Less common causes include:
- Certain cleaning chemicals
- Metalworking fumes
- Smoke inhalation injuries
- Burn pits or industrial fires
Can You Sue for Popcorn Lung?
Yes. If your popcorn lung diagnosis is connected to workplace exposure, toxic chemicals in products, or negligent safety standards, you may be eligible to file a personal injury, product liability, or workers’ compensation claim.
Here are the most common legal scenarios:
✅ Workplace Negligence Claims
If your employer failed to give you protective gear, ignored safety standards, didn’t install proper ventilation, or failed to warn you of known hazards, you can pursue financial compensation.
✅ Product Liability Lawsuits
Manufacturers of popcorn, flavorings, e-cigarettes, and other diacetyl-containing products may be liable if they knew or should have known their products were dangerous.
✅ Workers’ Compensation Claims
Even if your employer didn’t intentionally harm you, you may still qualify for medical coverage, disability benefits, and lost wages through a workers’ comp claim.
✅ Third-Party Claims
In some situations, you may sue both the product manufacturer and the company responsible for workplace safety failures.
What Damages Can You Recover?
If popcorn lung was caused by exposure you didn’t agree to or weren’t warned about, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical treatment and ongoing care
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Oxygen therapy or lung transplant costs
- Pain and suffering
- Disability and reduced quality of life
- Punitive damages (in severe negligence cases)
Every case is different, and the value of your claim will depend on your diagnosis, exposure history, and the responsible party’s conduct.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
In Texas, you typically have two years from the date of diagnosis or discovery of injury to file a personal injury or product liability lawsuit. Workers’ compensation deadlines are shorter.
Don’t wait — evidence can disappear, and deadlines can block your claim if you delay.
How to Prove Popcorn Lung Was Caused by Exposure
To build a strong case, your legal team will gather information such as:
- Job history and exposure records
- Workplace safety documentation
- Product ingredient lists and labels
- Medical test results
- Testimony from doctors and experts
- Employer or manufacturer safety violations
At Orange Law Firm, we handle the investigation, consult occupational health experts, and collect the documentation needed to support your case.
What to Do If You Think You Have Popcorn Lung
Here are the steps you should take right away:
- See a pulmonologist. Get properly diagnosed through physical exams, lung function tests, and CT scans.
- Document your exposure history. Include job roles, dates, and products used.
- Stop using harmful products. Especially vapes or chemicals tied to the condition.
- Contact a lawyer. You need guidance before speaking to employers or insurance companies.
Treatment Options for Popcorn Lung
While the damage cannot usually be reversed, treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and preventing further decline:
- Inhalers or steroids
- Oxygen therapy
- Cough suppressants
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Lung transplant (in severe cases)
- Avoiding further exposure
Legal compensation can help you afford long-term treatment and adjust to reduced lung function.
Popcorn Lung and Vaping: A Growing Legal Issue
Even though many popcorn manufacturers phased out diacetyl, vape companies introduced it into a new industry. Thousands of people now use flavored vape products daily, unaware of the long-term risks.
Several lawsuits are already targeting e-cigarette makers for failing to disclose lung-damaging ingredients. If you developed symptoms after vaping, you may have a claim.
Can Popcorn Lung Be Fatal?
Yes. While not always deadly, it can lead to respiratory failure, pneumonia, and severe disability. Without treatment, quality of life decreases dramatically, and lung transplant becomes the only option.
How Orange Law Firm Can Help
If you’ve been diagnosed with popcorn lung due to workplace exposure, flavoring chemicals, or vaping products, you deserve justice. We help clients pursue claims against negligent manufacturers, employers, and distributors responsible for harmful exposure.
Here’s what we do for you:
- Investigate your exposure history
- Collect medical records and expert testimony
- Identify all liable parties
- File workers’ comp, product liability, or personal injury claims
- Negotiate for maximum compensation
- Take the case to court if needed
You don’t have to figure this out on your own — especially when your breathing and livelihood are on the line.
