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CSX Transportation Increases Risk of Lung Cancer

Railroad workers have been exposed such as diesel exhaust, asbestos and welding fumes. These toxic exposures can cause serious medical conditions, such as occupational lung disease and industrial cancers.

Winston Payne was a brakeman/switcher for csx transportation colon cancer for over 40 years. His estate received a substantial jury verdict following his death from lung cancer. csx transportation rad appealed the verdict.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a variety of minerals that are naturally occurring. They were once utilized in construction due to their resistance to corrosion, fire retardant and csx transportation copd insulate qualities. However, inhaling the microscopic asbestos fibers increases a person's chance of developing serious health problems. These include lung cancer, mesothelioma (a deadly form of cancer that forms in the lining that protects various organs) and asbestosis (a scarring of the lungs). After exposure, symptoms may not manifest for 15 to 30 years.

Asbestos exposure is linked to a myriad of diseases such as pleural plaques a mild form of cancer, and mesothelioma. This rare cancer is found in the tissues lining the lung, the heart and the abdomen. Mesothelioma can only be identified after it has spread to other parts of the body. This makes treatment more difficult.

If a person is experiencing symptoms of mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness, they should consult a doctor as soon as they can. The doctor can determine the extent of exposure and the type and severity of the illness. A doctor may prescribe medication to manage the symptoms. The most commonly prescribed treatment is a corticosteroid which can reduce inflammation in the lungs as well as other organs. Doctors can also prescribe antibiotics to treat respiratory diseases. Asbestosis increases the chance of respiratory complications such as flu or pneumonia. It is essential to immunize those suffering from asbestosis against these illnesses.

Radiation

The csx transportation stomach cancer Corporation provides rail-based transportation services across the United States. The company has over 20,000 miles of track in 23 states and the District of Columbia. As a shipping, railroad and trucking company, csx Transportation copd is exposed to many toxic exposures in its workplace. CSX workers have been exposed to dangerous chemicals like asbestos, diesel exhaust and radiation. These exposures have led to serious occupational lung diseases like mesothelioma cancer, mesothelioma cancer, plaques on the pleura.

Winston Payne, who spent 40 years working for the Louisville & Nashville Railroad - now CSX was exposed to asbestos fumes as well as diesel exhaust fumes and radiation during his work. He was diagnosed with lung carcinoma in 2005, and died in 2010 of the disease. His widow, Anne filed a lawsuit under FELA and common law negligence, and claimed that the railroad exposed Mr. Payne negligently to asbestos as well as radioactive materials and diesel exhaust.

The jury awarded Mrs. Payne $8.6 million in her wrongful death case against CSX in November of 2010 following the two-week trial in Knoxville, Tennessee. During the trial our occupational illness attorneys called 16 witnesses including the oncologist who treated Mr. Payne, a cancer specialist and epidemiologist nuclear health physicist industrial hygienists as well as former coworkers. CSX appealed the decision and the case went all up to the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Diesel Exhaust

Diesel-powered trains release a substantial quantity of exhaust fumes that pollute the air. These fumes are loaded with toxic chemicals that can be harmful to the lungs and skin. They also cause respiratory problems and lung cancers in railroad workers. These conditions are made worse by working in areas that are not well ventilated such as engine cabs. Engineers and conductors, who spend a lot of time in the cabs, are particularly susceptible to these conditions.

Numerous studies show that exposure to diesel exhaust may result in an increased chance of developing lung cancer regardless of smoking. These findings are based upon epidemiological studies on humans as well as animal studies. The World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have classified diesel exhausts as carcinogenic to humans.

Excessive exposure to diesel exhaust can increase the risk of developing lung cancer compared to other occupational exposures such as coal combustion products and asbestos. The increased risk is due to the presence of toxic substances in diesel exhaust that irritate lung tissue and increase the number of cancerous cells.

Over the years, research has been conducted to connect diesel exhaust to lung cancer among railroad workers. In reality, the railroads themselves were well aware of the dangers posed by this chemical exposure. Court records reveal that a Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad claims manager warned other railroad executives during a meeting in the year 1955 of the dangers to cancer of diesel exhaust.

Fear of Cancer

Railroad workers work near tracks and cars that transport 30 million passengers and 1.6 billion tons of freight each year, including food, vehicles such as crude oil grain, lumber and metal ore, chemicals and many more. They may be exposed to toxic substances from these shipments which increase their risk of lung cancer.

Thurston Hensley filed a lawsuit against his employer CSX for asbestosis and inhaling asbestos. Hensley demanded damages for pain and suffering that included his fear of developing cancer in the near future. CSX claimed that the trial court erred in not providing a jury instruction to define the standard for awarding damages for cancer fear as defined in the Supreme Court decision in Norfolk & Western Railway Co. v. Ayers.

The Supreme Court agreed, and reversed the $5 Million verdict.