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CSX Transportation Increases Risk of Lung Cancer

Railroad workers are exposed to toxins like asbestos, diesel exhaust and welding fumes. These toxic exposures can cause serious medical conditions, such as occupational lung cancers and industrial diseases.

Winston Payne was a brakeman/switcher for CSX for more than 40 years. His estate received a hefty jury verdict after he died from lung cancer. CSX appealed the award.

Asbestos

Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring minerals that were once utilized in construction because of their anti-corrosion, fire-proof and insulate properties. However, inhaling the tiny asbestos fibers increases the likelihood of developing serious health issues. These include mesothelioma, lung cancer (a deadly type of cancer that develops in the lining of various organs) and asbestosis (a scarring of the lungs). It can take anywhere from 15 to 30 years before symptoms begin to manifest after first exposure.

Asbestos exposure can cause several diseases, ranging from mild mesothelioma to pleural plaques, rare cancer that is found within the tissue lining the lungs, the heart, and abdomen. Mesothelioma is typically diagnosed only after it has spread to other areas of the body, making the treatment more difficult.

When a person with mesothelioma, or any other asbestos-related illness, has symptoms, he should see a doctor immediately. The doctor can determine the extent of exposure as well as the type and severity of the condition. A doctor may prescribe medication to alleviate symptoms. The most frequently prescribed medication to treat inflammation is corticosteroid. A doctor may prescribe antibiotics for Csx Transportation Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia respiratory illnesses. Asbestosis can increase a person's chances of developing breathing problems such as pneumonia and the flu, so it's important for those with this condition to get immunized against these illnesses.

Radiation

The CSX Corporation provides rail-based transportation services throughout the United States. The company owns 20,000 miles of track in 23 states as well as the District of Columbia. As a shipping, railroad and trucking company, csx transportation acute lymphocytic Leukemia is exposed to numerous toxic exposures in the workplace. CSX workers have been exposed over the years to hazardous chemicals like asbestos, diesel exhaust, and radiation. These exposures have resulted in serious lung diseases in the workplace like cancer, mesothelioma, and pleural plaques.

Winston Payne, who spent 40 years at the Louisville & Nashville Railroad - now CSX - was exposed to asbestos fumes and diesel exhaust fumes and radiation in the course of his work. He was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2005, and passed away from the disease in the year 2010. His widow, Anne, filed a lawsuit against CSX under FELA and common law negligence, claiming that the railroad negligently exposed Mr. Payne to asbestos, radioactive materials and diesel exhaust. The railroad also violated numerous laws and csx transportation acute lymphocytic Leukemia regulations to protect railroad employees.

In November 2010, following an two-week trial in Knoxville Tennessee, a jury awarded Mrs. Payne an $8.6 million verdict in her wrongful death case against CSX. Our railroad occupational illness lawyers included 16 witnesses in the trial, including the oncologist who treated Mr. Payne as well as an epidemiologist, a cancer specialist nuclear health experts, industrial hygienists and former colleagues. CSX appealed and the case was heard by the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Diesel Exhaust

Diesel-powered trains emit a significant amount of exhaust fumes which can pollute the atmosphere. These fumes are full of toxic chemicals that can harm the lungs and skin. They also trigger respiratory illnesses and lung cancers among railroad workers. The condition is exacerbated by working in confined spaces with poor ventilation like engine cabins. Engineers and conductors, who spend a great deal of time in cabins, are particularly vulnerable to these conditions.

Several studies indicate that exposure to diesel exhaust may cause an increase in the risk of developing lung cancer, independent of smoking. These findings are based on human epidemiological studies as well as animal experiments. The International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Health Organization have classified diesel exhaust as carcinogenic to humans.

The risk of lung cancer from exposure to diesel exhaust could be higher than that found for other occupational exposures such as asbestos or coal combustion products. Diesel exhaust is loaded with toxic components that cause irritation to lungs and increase the number of cancerous cells.

Since decades, studies have been conducted to connect diesel exhaust with lung cancer among railroad employees. In reality, railroads themselves were well aware of the risks of exposure to chemicals. Court records show that a Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad claims manager warned other railroad executives at a meeting in 1955 of the cancer hazards of diesel exhaust.

Fear of Cancer

Railroad workers have to work close to tracks and cars that transport 30 million travelers and 1.6 billion tons of freight each year, including food, vehicles including crude oil, grain, lumber chemicals, metal ore and much more. These shipments could expose them to toxins that increase their risk of developing lung cancer.

Thurston Hensley filed a lawsuit against his employer CSX for asbestosis and inhaling asbestos. Hensley demanded pain and suffering damages that included his fears of developing cancer in the near future. CSX claimed that the trial court erred in not giving a jury instructions defining the criteria for determining cancer fear damages, as outlined in the Supreme Court decision in Norfolk & Western Railway Co. v. Ayers.

The Supreme Court agreed and overturned the $5 million verdict.