공지사항

Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma

As a result of the work they do, railroad workers can be exposed to a variety of harmful toxins. One of these toxic substances is asbestos which was used to line and Railroad Lawsuit Settlements insulate older train cars.

Unfortunately, these dangerous chemicals can wreck havoc on the lungs of railroad workers. Our FELA attorneys help victims of Railroad lawsuit settlements-related lung diseases hold corporations accountable for their negligence.

Asbestos

While railroads have lost favor in terms of transportation in recent years since more people are turning to cars, trains still play a significant role in the nation's network of freight. Therefore, railroad employees have long been exposed to a myriad of toxic substances that can impact their health. Particularly the lawyers at our Boston railroad worker asbestos exposure lawyers have noted that railway workers are often at risk for developing lung diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.

Asbestos can be broken into tiny fibers that can be inhaled into the lungs. These fibers can cause severe lung tissue scarring that can result in a number of serious respiratory conditions like mesothelioma or asbestosis.

A man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma following 30 years of employment with the railroad, has filed a lawsuit lawsuits against union pacific railroad Illinois Central Railroad. He claims the railroad knew about it and let him work in hazardous environments without providing him with appropriate safety equipment or warnings about possible hazards. He claims that he breathed creosote and diesel exhaust, dust, chemicals, and other particulates that affected his lung.

The plaintiff claims that the Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with the proper medical care, hospitalization, medical and therapeutic treatment for his injuries and illnesses. According to his lawsuit the railroad workers cancer lawsuit has violated its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) obligation 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 some instances these fumes could cause lung ailments like COPD. In the case where a machinist was exposed to diesel exhaust while working the company did not provide the proper protective equipment. The man developed COPD and now needs to use oxygen tanks daily.

In the United Kingdom, where diesel exhaust from engines is commonplace in workplaces, such as garages and bus depots, a recent article published by The Guardian reports that "UK legal claims are growing over exposure to harmful diesel fumes." Diesel emissions contain high levels of nitrogen oxides which can be harmful to humans. Nitrogen oxides can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat and cause symptoms that last a few minutes, such as coughing or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes could cause chest tightness and wheezing.

Other pollutants that can be found in rail yards include dust and chemicals, as well as creosote. These toxins can be breathed in and railroad lawsuit settlements cause long-term issues like COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified exhausts from diesel engines as carcinogens. The agency also warns that exposure to diesel exhaust could increase the risk of bladder cancer in men and women.

Smoking

A railroad conductor recently filed an occupational illness claim, claiming that his exposure to toxic chemicals at work led him to develop COPD. He claims that his employer failed to provide him with proper safety equipment which allowed him to breathe in hundreds of compounds every day. These toxins include diesel exhaust and fumes, silica, creosote, coal smoke, metal dusts, sulfur dioxide, benzene, dioxins, chemical degreasers, and other airborne irritants.

The issue with these poisons is that they're capable of piercing deep into the lung tissue which can cause damage and eventually lead to chronic obstructive-pulmonary disease which is also known as COPD. The chronic illness can cause shortness of breath wheezing, constant coughing and weight loss. In some cases, it can also cause asthma.

Railroad employees who suffer from workplace-related emphysema or other respiratory illnesses are eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), 45 U.S.C. 51. The law requires railroad companies to provide their employees with an acceptable and secure place to work.

However, this isn't always the case. Railroad companies are aware of the risks that they face in their work, yet they fail to safeguard their workers. FELA was established to hold railroad companies accountable for their mistakes. If you have an illness connected to your railroad career, contact a mesothelioma lawyer who has handled FELA cases successfully.