Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Because of the work they perform railroad workers are exposed to numerous harmful toxins. Asbestos, a material used in older train cars to line and insulate them, is one of these hazardous substance.
Unfortunately, these hazardous substances can cause havoc to the lungs of railroad workers. Our FELA lawyers help those suffering from lung disease caused by railroads hold the companies accountable for their negligence.
Asbestos
Trains continue to play a crucial part in the nation's freight network, despite the fact that railroads have seen a decline in popularity in recent years due to the increasing use of automobiles. This is why railroad workers have been exposed to a variety of toxins that could impact their health. Particularly our Boston railroad worker asbestos exposure lawyers note that railway employees are usually at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Asbestos can be a deadly substance which can be broken into microscopically thin fibers which can be breathed into the lungs. These fibers can cause severe scarring of lung tissue, which could cause a variety of serious respiratory ailments, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
A man diagnosed with mesothelioma in the last 30 years of working for the railroad, has filed a lawsuit against Illinois Central Railroad. He claims that the railroad allowed him to work in dangerous environments, but not providing the necessary protective equipment or warnings about possible hazards. He claims he breathed creosote, diesel exhaust chemicals, dust, powders and other particles that impacted his lung.
Bladder cancer lawsuit claims that the Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with adequate medical care, hospitalization, medical and therapeutic treatment for his injuries and illnesses. According to his lawsuit the railroad breached its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) obligation to provide its employees with a safe working environment.
Diesel fumes
Diesel engine emissions can have a negative impact on the health of railroad workers. In some cases they can lead to lung disease like COPD. In cancer lawsuit of a machine operator who was exposed diesel exhaust at work, his employer failed to provide proper protection equipment. In the process, the man was diagnosed with COPD and now needs to use oxygen tanks daily.
In the United Kingdom, where diesel engine exhaust is common in workplaces such as garages and bus depots, a recent article published by The Guardian reports that "UK legal cases increase over exposure at work to the toxic diesel fumes." Diesel emissions contain high levels of nitrogen oxides which can be harmful to humans. Nitrogen oxides may cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. They can also trigger short-term discomforts such as a cough or phlegm. The inhalation of diesel fumes can cause chest pain and wheezing.
Other contaminants that are found in rail yards include dust chemical, creosote, and dust. These toxins can be breathed in and cause long-term problems such as COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel engine exhaust as a definite carcinogen. The agency warns that there are indications that exposure to diesel engine exhaust may increase the risks of bladder cancer for females and males.
Smoking
A railroad conductor has filed a claim for occupational illness recently, claiming that his continuous exposure at work to toxic chemicals led him to develop COPD. He claims that his employer did not provide him with adequate safety equipment, allowing him to inhale hundreds of compounds on a daily basis. These toxic substances include diesel exhaust and fumes silica, creosote, coal smoke, metal dusts sulfur dioxide, benzene chemical degreasers, dioxins and other airborne irritants.
cancer lawsuit can be absorbed into the lung tissue, where they cause damage that can lead to chronic obstructive respiratory disorder (also known as COPD). This is a chronic illness that can cause shortness of breath wheezing and coughing for a long time weight loss, and in some instances asthma.
The Federal Employers Liability Act, 45 U.S.C. offers compensation to railroad workers suffering from respiratory illnesses that result from their work. 51. This law requires that railroad companies provide their employees with a workplace that is reasonably safe.
Unfortunately it's not always the case. Railroad companies are aware of the risks that they face in their work, yet they don't take precautions to protect their employees. FELA was created to hold railroad corporations accountable for their blunders. If you have developed a medical condition that was caused by your railroad experience, get in touch with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who has successfully handled FELA cases.