Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Railroad workers are exposed many harmful toxins as a result their work. Asbestos, which was used in older train cars to line and insulate them, is a harmful substance.
Unfortunately, these dangerous substances can cause havoc to the lung health of railroad workers. Our FELA attorneys assist those suffering from railroad-related lung diseases hold corporations accountable for their negligence.
Asbestos
While railroads have lost favor as a transportation mode in recent years as more people switch to cars, trains still have a crucial role to play in the country's freight system. As such, railroad employees have long 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 diseases, such as asbestosis or mesothelioma.
Asbestos can be broken down into microscopic fibers which can be breathed into the lung. These fibers can cause severe scarring of lung tissue, which can result in a variety of serious respiratory ailments, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
For example a man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma after working on the railroad for over 30 years has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit. He claims the railroad knew about it and let him work in hazardous environments without providing him with appropriate protective equipment or warnings of possible hazards. He claims he breathed creosote, diesel exhaust, powders, chemicals, dust and other particulates that impacted his lungs.
The man claims that the Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with adequate medical care, hospitalization, therapeutic and surgical treatment 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
The fumes released by diesel engines can have a negative impact on a railroad worker's health. In certain cases they can cause lung ailments like COPD. In the case of a machinist who was exposed to diesel exhaust at work His employer failed to provide the proper protective equipment. As a result, the man was diagnosed with COPD and now needs to use oxygen tanks daily.
In the United Kingdom, where diesel engine exhaust is a common sight in workplaces, such as garages and bus depots, a recent article by The Guardian reports that "UK legal claims are growing over exposure to harmful diesel fumes." Diesel emissions contain high levels of nitrogen oxides, which can be harmful to humans. Nitrogen oxides can cause irritation of the nose, eyes, and throat and may cause symptoms that last a few minutes, such as a cough or Phlegm. Inhaling union pacific railroad lawsuits can cause chest discomfort and wheezing.
In addition to diesel fumes, other pollutants that are found in some rail yard environments include chemicals, creosote dust and powders. These toxins are inhaled, and can lead to long-term problems such as COPD or lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel engine exhaust as a definitive carcinogen. The agency also warns that there is evidence that exposure to diesel exhaust may increase the risk of bladder cancer for both men and women.
Smoking
A railroad conductor recently filed an occupational ill health claim claiming that his exposure to toxic chemicals at work caused him to develop COPD. He claims that his employer failed to provide him with proper safety equipment which allowed him to breathe in hundreds of chemicals every day. These poisons include diesel exhaust and fumes silica, creosote metal dusts, coal smoke, sulfur dioxide, benzene, dioxins, chemical cleaners and other airborne irritating substances.
The toxins can seep deep into the lung tissue, where they cause damage, which eventually leads to chronic obstructive lung disease (also known as COPD). The chronic illness can cause shortness of breath and wheezing, coughing, and weight loss. In certain cases it may also trigger asthma.
Railroad employees who suffer from work-related respiratory ailments such as emphysema and other may be eligible for compensation under Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) 45 U.S.C. 51. This law requires railroad companies to offer their employees an adequately safe environment to work.
However, this isn't always the however. Railroad companies are aware of the dangers associated with their work, but they often fail to safeguard their workers. FELA was created to hold railroad companies accountable for their actions. If you suffer from an illness that is related to your railroad experience, consult a mesothelioma lawyer who has handled FELA cases successfully.