Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Because of the work they perform, railroad workers can be exposed to a variety of toxic substances. One of them is asbestos, which was used to line and insulate older train cars.
Unfortunately, these dangerous substances can wreak havoc on the lung lungs of railroad employees. cancer lawsuits help those suffering from railroad lung diseases hold corporations accountable for their actions.
union pacific railroad lawsuit are still a vital part in the nation's freight network, despite the fact that railroads have been losing popularity in recent years because more people are choosing automobiles. This is why railroad employees have long been exposed to a myriad of toxic substances that can affect their health. Particularly, our Boston asbestos exposure for railroad workers lawyers have noted that railway workers are frequently at risk for developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Asbestos can be a deadly substance that can be broken into microscopically thin fibers that can be breathed into the lungs. These fibers can cause severe scarring of lung tissue, which could cause a variety of serious respiratory diseases, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.
For instance, a man diagnosed with mesothelioma following a career on the railroad for over 30 years has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit. He claims that the railroad allowed him to work in hazardous conditions, without providing protection equipment or warnings of potential hazards. cancer lawsuit claims that he breathed diesel exhaust, creosote, dust, chemicals, and other particulates that affected his lungs.
Moreover, this man says the Illinois Central Railroad failed to provide him with adequate medical, hospital, surgical and therapeutic care for his injuries and illnesses. According to the lawsuit, the railroad did not fulfill their Federal Employers Liability Act duty to provide a safe working environment for their employees.
Diesel fumes
Diesel engine emissions can have a negative effect on the health of railroad workers. In some instances, these fumes may cause lung diseases like COPD. In union pacific railroad lawsuit where the machinist was exposed diesel exhaust during work the employer did not provide the proper protective equipment. In the process, the man developed COPD and is required to use oxygen tanks daily.
In the United Kingdom, where diesel engine exhaust is common in workplaces like garages and bus depots, the latest article published by The Guardian reports that "UK legal claims are growing over exposure to toxic diesel fumes." Diesel exhausts contain high levels of nitrogen oxides that can be harmful to humans. Nitrogen oxides can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. They can also trigger temporary symptoms like a cough or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes may also cause chest pain and wheezing.
Other pollutants that can be found in rail yards are dust and chemicals, as well as creosote. These toxic substances can be inhaled and can cause long-term problems such as COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel engine exhausts as carcinogens. The agency also warns that exposure to diesel exhaust could increase the risk of bladder cancer for both men as well as women.
Smoking
A railroad conductor recently filed an occupational health claim claiming that his exposure to toxic chemicals at work led him to develop COPD. He says that his employer failed to provide him with adequate safety equipment, allowing him to inhale hundreds of chemicals every day. These contaminants include diesel exhaust, fumes silica, creosote, coal smoke, metal dusts, sulfur dioxide, benzene, dioxins, chemical degreasers and other airborne irritants.
The toxins can seep deep into lung tissue where they cause damage, eventually leading to chronic obstructive lung disease (also known as COPD). This is a chronic illness that causes shortness of breath wheezing and coughing that is persistent as well as weight loss and, in certain instances asthma.
The Federal Employers Liability Act, 45 U.S.C., provides compensation to railroad workers suffering from emphysema and other respiratory illnesses caused by their work. 51. This law requires that railroad companies provide their employees with a place of work that is reasonably safe.
However, this isn't always the case. Railroad companies are aware of the risks they face in their job but they often fail to safeguard their workers. This is the reason why FELA was created to make them accountable for. If you have developed a medical condition linked to your railroad work, consult an experienced mesothelioma attorney who has successfully handled FELA cases.