Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Due to their work railroad workers are exposed to a variety of harmful toxins. One of these toxic substances is asbestos which was used to line and insulate older train cars.
Unfortunately, these dangerous substances can cause serious harm to the lung of railway workers. Our FELA lawyers help victims of lung diseases caused by railroads hold corporations accountable for their actions.
Asbestos
Trains play a significant part in the nation's freight network, despite the fact that railroads have waned in popularity in recent years due to the increasing use of automobiles. This is why railroad workers have been exposed to various toxic substances that could impact their health. Particularly, our Boston asbestos exposure for railroad workers lawyers highlight that railway workers have often been at risk for developing lung diseases, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a hazardous substance that can be broken into tiny fibers that can be breathed into the lung. These fibers can cause serious lung tissue scarring that can lead a number serious respiratory diseases including mesothelioma, asbestosis and asbestosis.
Bladder cancer lawsuit diagnosed with mesothelioma following 30 years of working for the railroad, has filed a lawsuit against Illinois Central Railroad. Bladder cancer lawsuit allowed him to work in hazardous environments, but did not provide him with safety equipment or warnings about possible dangers. He claims he inhaled creosote, diesel exhaust dust, chemicals, and other particulates that affected his lungs.
In addition, the man claims the Illinois Central Railroad failed to provide him with adequate medical surgical, hospital and therapeutic treatment for his injuries and ailments. According to the lawsuit, the railroad did not fulfill their Federal Employers Liability Act duty to provide a safe work environment for their employees.
Diesel fumes
The diesel fumes that are produced by engines can have a negative impact on the health of railroad workers. In some instances the fumes can cause lung diseases such as COPD. In the event that a machinist had to breathe in diesel exhaust during work the employer did not provide adequate protective equipment. The man suffered from COPD due to this exposure and is now using oxygen tanks every day.
The Guardian reported in a recent article that in the United Kingdom, where diesel exhaust is typically found in workplaces such as bus depots and garages there are "growing legal claims" about exposure to harmful diesel fumes. Diesel emissions contain large amounts of nitrogen oxides which can be harmful to people. Nitrogen oxides can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. They can also trigger short-term discomforts such as a cough or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes could cause chest discomfort and wheezing.
In cancer lawsuits to diesel fumes, other pollutants found in certain rail yard areas include chemicals, creosote dust and powders. These toxic substances can be inhaled and cause long-term issues like COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel engine exhaust as a confirmed carcinogen. The agency also warns that there is evidence that exposure to diesel exhaust can increase the risk of bladder cancer among men and women.
Smoking
A railroad conductor has filed an occupational health claim recently and claimed that his prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals caused him to develop COPD. He claims that his employer did not provide him with appropriate safety equipment that allowed him to breathe in hundreds of compounds each day. These toxic substances include diesel exhaust and fumes, silica, creosote, coal smoke, metal dusts sulfur dioxide, benzene, dioxins, chemical degreasers, and other airborne irritants.
The problem with these toxins is that they are capable of getting deep into the lung tissue where they cause damage and eventually lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder which is also known as COPD. This is a chronic condition that causes breathlessness, persistent coughing and wheezing weight loss, and in some instances, asthma.
Railroad workers who suffer from work-related respiratory diseases such as emphysema may be eligible for compensation under Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) 45 U.S.C. 51. This law requires that railroads provide their employees with a safe place of work that is reasonably safe.
Unfortunately, this isn't always the reality. Railroad companies are aware of the risks associated with their work, yet they don't take precautions to protect their workers. FELA was established to hold railroads accountable for their blunders. If you've developed an illness that is related to your railroad experience, get in touch with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who has successfully handled FELA cases.