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Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma

As a result of the work they perform, railroad workers can be exposed to a variety of toxic substances. Asbestos, which was used in older train cars to line them and insulate them, is one such harmful substance.

Unfortunately, these dangerous substances can cause havoc to the lungs of railroad workers. Our FELA lawyers help those suffering from lung disease caused by railroads hold the companies accountable for their wrongful actions.

Asbestos

While railroads have seen a decline in terms of transportation in recent years as more people switch to cars, trains still are a major component of the nation's network of freight. Railroad workers have been exposed to toxic substances for a long time, which could negatively impact their health. Our Boston asbestos lawyers for railroad workers observe that railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases such as asbestosis or mesothelioma.

Asbestos is a hazardous substance that can break into microscopically thin fibers which can be breathed into the lung. These fibers can cause severe lung tissue scarring that can cause a variety of serious respiratory conditions including mesothelioma, asbestosis and asbestosis.

For example a man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma following a career on the Wasatch Railroad Contractors Lawsuit for more than 30 years has filed an Illinois Central railroad lawsuit settlements lawsuit. He claims that the railroad allowed him to work in dangerous conditions, without providing him with safety equipment or warnings regarding potential hazards. He claims to have inhaled diesel fumes, chemicals, dust and powders, as well as other particulates, which impacted his lungs.

Additionally, the plaintiff claims the Illinois Central Railroad failed to provide him with adequate medical surgery, hospital, and therapeutic care for his injuries and illnesses. According to his lawsuit the railroad has violated its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) duty to provide its employees with a safe work environment.

Diesel fumes

Diesel engine emissions can have a negative impact on the health of railroad workers. In certain instances they can lead to lung disease such as COPD. In the case of a worker who was exposed to diesel exhaust during work, his employer failed to provide adequate protection equipment. The man was diagnosed with COPD as a result and Wasatch Railroad Contractors Lawsuit now utilizes oxygen tanks each day.

In the United Kingdom, where diesel engine exhaust is a common sight in workplaces like garages and bus depots, the latest article published by The Guardian reports that "UK legal claims grow over exposure at work to harmful diesel fumes." Diesel exhausts contain high amounts of nitrogen oxides that can be harmful to human health. Nitrogen oxides may cause irritation to the nose, eyes, and throat. They can also cause temporary symptoms like a cough or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes may cause chest tightness and wheezing.

Other contaminants that can be found in rail yards are dust chemicals, creosote, and dust. These toxins can be breathed in and can cause long-term issues like COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel engine exhaust as a definitive carcinogen. The agency warns that there are indications that exposure to diesel engine exhaust could increase the risks of bladder cancer in both women and men.

Smoking

A csx railroad lawsuit conductor recently filed an occupational health claim alleging his long-term exposure to toxic chemicals at work led him to develop COPD. He claims that his employer did not provide him with proper safety equipment which allowed him to breathe in hundreds of compounds each day. These toxic substances include diesel fumes, exhaust, silica dust, creosote and metal dusts that are found in coal smoke sulfur dioxide, benzene and as in chemical degreasers as well as dioxins.

The problem with these toxins is that they are capable of getting deep into the lung tissue, which causes damage and eventually cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder or COPD. It is a chronic disease which causes breathlessness wheezing and coughing that is persistent as well as weight loss and, in certain cases, asthma.

Railroad workers 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 that railroad companies provide their employees a place of work that is reasonably secure.

Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. Railroad companies are aware of the risks that are inherent to their work but they often fail to safeguard their workers. This negligence is what FELA was created to ensure they are accountable for. If you have medical conditions that are associated with your railroad work, contact a mesothelioma lawyer who has handled FELA cases successfully.