Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Railroad workers are exposed to many toxic toxins that can harm them due to 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 serious damage to the lung of railway workers. Our FELA lawyers help those suffering from railroad-related lung diseases hold corporations accountable for their negligence.
Asbestos
Trains are still a vital part in the nation's freight network, despite the fact that railroads have seen a decline in popularity in recent years because more people are choosing automobiles. Therefore, railroad workers have been exposed for a long time to a variety of toxins that could influence their health. Particularly the lawyers at our Boston railroad worker asbestos exposure lawyers highlight that railway workers are usually at risk for developing lung diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Asbestos can be a deadly substance that is able to break down into microscopically thin fibers that can be breathed into the lung. These fibers can cause severe scarring of lung tissue, which can cause a variety of serious respiratory illnesses, including asbestosis, mesothelioma or lung cancer.
For instance one man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma after working on the railroad for 30 years has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit. He claims that the railroad allowed workers to work in dangerous conditions, without providing the necessary protective equipment or warnings about possible hazards. He claims that he inhaled diesel fumes, chemicals, dust and powders, along with other particulates that affected his lungs.
The plaintiff claims that Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with sufficient medical care, hospitalization, surgical, 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 its employees.
Diesel fumes
Diesel engine fumes can have a negative effect on the health of railroad workers. In certain cases they can cause lung diseases, such as COPD. In the event that a machinist was exposed to diesel exhaust during work his employer failed to provide adequate protective equipment. As a result, the man was diagnosed with 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 commonly found at workplaces such as bus depots and garages, there are "growing legal claims" regarding exposure to toxic diesel fumes. Diesel exhaust contains 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 cause short-term symptoms like a cough or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes can cause chest tightness and wheezing.
In addition to the diesel fumes and other pollutants, others that can be found in certain rail yard environments include chemicals, creosote dust and powders. These pollutants are inhaled and can lead to long-term health issues such as COPD or 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 in men as well as women.
Smoking
A railroad conductor recently filed an occupational disease claim claiming that his prolonged 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 inhale hundreds of chemicals on a daily basis. These poisons include diesel exhaust and fumes silica, creosote, metal dusts, coal smoke sulfur dioxide, benzene, dioxins, chemical degreasers and other airborne irritants.
These toxins can get deep into the lung tissue, where they cause damage, eventually leading to chronic obstructive respiratory disease (also known as COPD). The chronic illness is characterized by shortness of breath, persistent coughing, wheezing and weight loss. In some cases it may also trigger asthma.
Railroad workers who suffer from work-related emphysema or other respiratory illnesses 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.
Unfortunately, this isn't always the reality. union pacific railroad lawsuits are aware of the risks that they face in their work, yet they fail to protect their employees. This is the reason why FELA was created to make them accountable for. If you've suffered from a medical condition that was caused by your railroad work, consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer that has handled successfully FELA cases.