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The kansas city southern railway copd City Southern Railway and Black Lung Disease

Railroad workers are exposed many toxic substances that can cause lung issues and blood disorders. This includes diesel exhaust, asbestos and welding fumes.

In this case the man was a mechanic for a railroad who was diagnosed with black lung. He was not able to work due to the illness that caused him a lot of suffering and pain.

How did the accident happen?

Harvey Couch, a Louisiana utility businessman, began acquiring railways in the 1920s, and later merged the two under his control. When he purchased the L&A in 1939 it was renamed kansas city southern railway Leukemia kansas city southern railway black lung disease Southern and given new life. kansas city southern railway acute myeloid leukemia City and New Orleans had direct train service for the first time. The new daily streamliner dubbed the Southern Belle was backed by a massive marketing campaign and served as a notice to shippers that KCS offered a superior alternative to Union Pacific or BNSF.

Over the years the railroad has neglected track maintenance. Management delayed repairs to increase the bottom line. This tactic works for short periods, but can have long-term, negative effects. In late 1972, a string of derailments put KCS on notice that it needed to take action to solve problems. KCS, among other things, required heavier rail, new tie, and Centralized Traffic Control.

The Gateway Western Railroad acquisition widened KCS the area of its operations from Shreveport in Arkansas to Mississippi and Alabama as well as opening an additional route to St. Louis through Springfield, Missouri. The network that was built now covers 10 states, which includes Mexico. It is a Class I railroad and hauls freight for seven major industries: agriculture and minerals, automotive, military chemical and petroleum energy, industrial, and consumer goods. It also offers intermodal services. KCS employees working on these lines were exposed to toxic substances such as asbestos as well as diesel exhaust and other toxic substances that can cause a variety of illnesses including mesothelioma as well as lung cancer, as well as blood disorders like multiple myeloma, acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic disorder.

What is the cause of the accident?

Railroad workers are frequently exposed to diesel exhaust that results in occupational cancers, pulmonary problems and blood disorders. These toxic exposures result from a variety of factors, including the lack of a safe workplace and the lack of adequate training. Employees who work on trains, for instance, must often climb into and out of cabs or other equipment that has no ventilation. They also are prone to breathing in solvents, welding fumes degreasers, lubricants, and other solvents that contain toxic substances. These toxic fumes are linked to several medical conditions including blood disorders, lung disease like myelodysplastic Syndrome, and acute myeloid Leukemia. Many employees have been diagnosed with these conditions after being employed by kansas city southern railway rad kansas city southern railway chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Southern. The company is now owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway.

What Damages Have Been Caused?

Similar to shop workers such as pipefitters or machinists, railroad employees are frequently exposed to toxic chemicals that are found in degreasers and lubricants. This has led to occupational lung diseases, blood diseases and kansas city southern railway leukemia certain cancers. Diesel exhaust exposure has been associated with cancers in those who work near locomotives or track equipment.

Giddens worked in KCS Maintenance-of-Way department in the maintenance and construction of the railroad's right-of-way and roadbeds. Giddens was asked to fix a washout at milepost 602, after heavy rains had caused the washout of some of the ballast that supported the rails and ties. Giddens was instructed to use a locomotive crane to lift the tracks out of the way, while workers put cross-tie supports under them.

In the course work, a chain attached to the crane broke and the track assembly fell on Giddens' left hand, causing crush-type fractures to the middle and the ring fingers. Eight surgeries were needed to take care of the injuries. Giddens was unable to return to work and was dependent on KCS' wage continuation program.

During closing arguments Giddens counsel argued that KCS had not complied with OSHA regulations regarding the type of chain used on its cranes used for locomotives and the requirement that chains be tested and inspected, and labelled. Giddens counsel also argued that it was KCS' duty to know the applicable OSHA regulations and follow the rules. This was not challenged by KCS or its experts.

Who was at fault?

A train that is crossing the road is one of our most dangerous intersections. When a car strikes the train severe injuries are incurred by the passenger and driver.

The accident occurred at the intersection of East Iowa Road and the KCS tracks in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana. Lloyd Mitchell was driving his van, which contained three girls, to their homes after church services when he collided with the train. The oldest of the girls, twelve-year-old Amanda Duncan, died in the accident. Rachel and Myranda were injured, but survived.

Plaintiffs assert that the railroad failed to properly clear its right of way at the crossing resulting in insufficient visibility distances. They also claim that the railroad failed to place warning signs in the manner required by law. The trial court found that KCS was in breach of its obligation to maintain its tracks, to maintain adequate sight distances, and to provide warning signs and that this violation was the main cause of the accident.

Mike Haverty took over as the CEO of KCS in 1995, at a time when the Western railroads were consolidating under the BNSF and Union Pacific mega-systems. He believed that KCS could remain independent by doubling down on its northern-southern roots. He began to purchase the tracks of the L&A, LR&N and Texas Mexican Railway. When the company bought Texas Mexican Railway, he created a north-south rail system which was in competition with the two super-systems.