Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
As a result of the work they do railroad workers are exposed to toxic substances. One of these toxic substances is asbestos which was used to insulate and line older train cars.
Unfortunately, these hazardous substances can cause serious harm to the lungs of railway workers. Our FELA attorneys assist those suffering from railroad-related lung diseases hold corporations accountable for their actions.
Asbestos
Trains are still a vital role in the nation’s freight network, despite the fact that railroads have been losing popularity in recent years due to more people choosing automobiles. This is why railroad workers have been exposed to various toxic substances that could affect their health. Our Boston railroad worker asbestos lawyers recognize that railroad workers are at risk of developing lung ailments such as mesothelioma or asbestosis.
Asbestos is broken down into microscopic fibers which can be breathed into the lung. These fibers can cause serious scarring of lung tissue, which can lead to a number of serious respiratory ailments, including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.
For example a man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma after working on the railroad for more than 30 years has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit. He claims that the railroad allowed him to work in dangerous environments, without providing the necessary protective equipment or warnings regarding potential hazards. He claims that he inhaled diesel fumes chemical fumes, dust, chemicals and powders, as well as other particulates that impacted his lungs.
union pacific railroad lawsuit claims that Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with sufficient medical care, hospitalization, surgical, and therapeutic treatment for his injuries and illnesses. According to Leukemia lawsuit , the railroad violated its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) obligation to provide employees with a safe and secure work environment.
Diesel fumes
Diesel engine emissions can have a negative impact on the health of railroad workers. In certain instances, these fumes may cause lung diseases such as COPD. In the case of a machinist had to breathe in diesel exhaust while at work the company did not provide adequate protective equipment. The man was diagnosed with COPD and now needs to use oxygen tanks on a daily basis.
The Guardian reported in a recent article that in the United Kingdom, where diesel exhaust is frequently found in workplaces such as bus depots and garages there are "growing legal claims" regarding exposure to toxic diesel fumes. Diesel emissions contain high levels of nitrogen oxides, which are harmful to those who breathe it. Nitrogen oxides may cause irritation to the nose, eyes and throat and may cause short-term symptoms, such as coughing or Phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes could cause chest tightness and wheezing.
Other contaminants that are found in rail yards include dust and chemicals, as well as creosote. These toxins can be inhaled and lead to long term problems like COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel engine exhausts as carcinogens. The agency warns that exposure to diesel engine exhaust may increase the risks of bladder cancer for both men and women.
Smoking
A railroad conductor recently filed an occupational health claim alleging his long-term exposure to toxic chemicals at work caused him to develop COPD. He says that his employer did not provide him with adequate safety equipment, allowing him to inhale hundreds of chemicals every day. These poisons include diesel fumes as well as exhaust, silica dust creosote and metal dusts in coal smoke sulfur dioxide, benzene as in chemical degreasers as well as dioxins.
These toxins can get deep into lung tissue and cause damage, which can eventually lead to chronic obstructive respiratory disease (also known as COPD). It is a chronic disease that can cause shortness of breath, persistent coughing and wheezing weight loss, and in some instances asthma.
The Federal Employers Liability Act, 45 U.S.C. provides compensation for railroad workers suffering from emphysema and other respiratory ailments caused by their work. 51. The law requires railroad companies to offer their employees an adequately safe environment to work.
Sadly, this isn’t always the however. cancer lawsuit are well aware of the dangers associated with their work, but they often fail to safeguard workers. Leukemia lawsuit was established to hold railroad companies accountable for their negligence. If you've been diagnosed with a medical condition linked to your railroad work, you should contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who has successfully handled FELA cases.