Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Railroad workers are exposed to various toxic toxins due to their work. One of these toxic substances is asbestos which was used to line and insulate older train cars.
Unfortunately, these hazardous substances can cause serious harm to the lungs of railway workers. Our FELA lawyers help those suffering from railroad-related lung diseases hold corporations accountable for their negligence.
Asbestos
While railroads have seen a decline in terms of transportation in recent years since more people are turning to automobiles, trains play a vital role in the nation's network of freight. Railroad workers are exposed to toxic substances for a long period of time, which can adversely affect their health. Our Boston railroad worker asbestos lawyers note that railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma or asbestosis.
union pacific railroad lawsuit is broken down into microscopic fibers which can be breathed into the lungs. These fibers can cause severe lung tissue scarring that could lead to a variety of serious respiratory diseases including mesothelioma, asbestosis and asbestosis.
For example one man diagnosed with mesothelioma following a career on the railroad for over 30 years has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit. The railroad allowed him to work in hazardous environments, but did not provide protection equipment or warnings about possible hazards. He claims he inhaled creosote, diesel exhaust dust, chemicals, powders and other particulates that affected his lungs.
The plaintiff claims that the Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with the proper medical treatment, hospitalization, therapy, and surgical care for his injuries and ailments. According to his lawsuit the railroad violated its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) obligation to provide employees with a safe and secure work environment.
Diesel fumes
The fumes generated by diesel engines can impact a railroad worker's health. In certain cases the fumes can cause lung diseases like COPD. In the case where a machinist was exposed to diesel exhaust while at work, his employer did not provide the appropriate protective equipment. In the process, the man developed COPD and has to utilize oxygen tanks on a regular basis.
The Guardian reported in a recent article that in the United Kingdom, where diesel exhaust is frequently found in workplaces like bus depots and garages there are "growing legal claims" regarding exposure to toxic diesel fumes. Diesel emissions contain large amounts of nitrogen oxides which are harmful to those who breathe it. Nitrogen oxides can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. They can also cause temporary symptoms like a cough or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes could cause chest tightness and wheezing.
Other pollutants that can be found in rail yards are dust chemicals, creosote, and dust. These toxins can be inhaled and can cause long-term problems such as COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified exhausts from diesel engines as a carcinogen. union pacific railroad lawsuit 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 health claim claiming that his exposure to toxic chemicals at work caused him to develop COPD. He claims that his employer did not provide him with the proper safety equipment, which allowed him to breathe in hundreds of compounds every day. These toxins include diesel exhaust and fumes, silica, creosote, metal dusts, coal smoke, sulfur dioxide, benzene, dioxins, chemical degreasers, and other airborne irritating substances.
The problem with these poisons is that they're able to penetrate deep into the lung tissue where they cause damage and eventually lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. This chronic condition causes shortness of breath wheezing, chronic coughing and weight loss. In certain cases it may also trigger asthma.
Railroad employees who suffer from work-related respiratory illnesses such as emphysema, asthma, or 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 a reasonably safe place to work.
Unfortunately, this isn't always the situation. cancer lawsuit are aware of the risks that they face in their work, yet they don't take precautions to protect their workers. FELA was created to hold railroad corporations accountable for their blunders. If you've been diagnosed with a medical condition linked to your railroad work, consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who has successfully handled FELA cases.