Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Because of the work they do, railroad workers can be exposed to a variety of harmful toxins. Asbestos which was used in older train cars to line and insulate them, is one of these harmful substance.
Unfortunately, these harmful substances can cause serious harm to the lungs of railway workers. Our FELA lawyers help those suffering from lung disease caused by railroads hold the companies accountable for their actions.
Asbestos
Trains are still a vital part in the country's freight network, despite the fact that railroads have lost their popularity in recent years because more people are choosing automobiles. Railroad workers are exposed to toxins for a lengthy period of time which can negatively affect their health. Our Boston railroad worker asbestos lawyers recognize that railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma or asbestosis.
Asbestos is broken into tiny fibers that can be inhaled into lungs. These fibers can cause serious scarring of lung tissue, which could result in a variety of serious respiratory illnesses, including asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.
For instance one man diagnosed with mesothelioma following a career on the railroad for 30 years has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit. He alleges the railroad knowingly allowed him to work in dangerous conditions without providing appropriate protective equipment or warnings about potential dangers. He claims he breathed in diesel fumes chemical fumes, dust, chemicals and powders, as well as other particles that affected his lungs.
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 has violated its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) obligation to provide its employees with a safe working environment.
Diesel fumes
Diesel engine fumes can have a negative effect on the health of railroad workers. In cancer lawsuits , these fumes can lead to lung disease like COPD. In the instance where the machinist was exposed diesel exhaust during work, his employer did not provide the appropriate protective equipment. The man was diagnosed with COPD because of this and currently uses oxygen tanks throughout the day.
In the United Kingdom, where diesel engine exhaust is a common sight in workplaces such as garages and bus depots an article recently published by The Guardian reports that "UK legal claims grow over exposure at work to harmful diesel fumes." Diesel exhausts contain high levels of nitrogen oxides which can be harmful to humans. Nitrogen oxides can cause irritation to the nose, eyes and throat. They can also cause short-term discomforts such as a cough or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes can cause chest tightness and wheezing.
Other contaminants that are found in rail yards include dust chemicals, creosote, and dust. These toxins are breathed in, and can cause long-term problems such as COPD or lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel engine exhausts as carcinogens. The agency also warns that exposure to diesel exhaust may increase the risk of bladder cancer for both men and women.
Smoking
A railroad conductor recently filed an occupational disease claim claiming that his exposure to toxic chemicals at work caused him to develop COPD. Bladder cancer lawsuit claims that his employer did not provide him with the proper safety equipment, allowing him to breathe in hundreds of compounds on a daily basis. These toxic substances include diesel exhaust and fumes, silica, creosote, metal dusts, coal smoke, sulfur dioxide, benzene, dioxins, chemical cleaners and other airborne irritants.
cancer lawsuit can be absorbed into lung tissue where they cause damage, which can eventually lead to chronic obstructive respiratory disease (also known as COPD). This chronic illness causes shortness-of-breath and wheezing, coughing, and weight loss. In certain instances it may also trigger asthma.
The Federal Employers Liability Act, 45 U.S.C. provides compensation for railroad workers suffering from emphysema and other respiratory ailments caused by their work. 51. This law requires that railroad companies provide their employees with a safe place of work that is reasonably safe.
Unfortunately, this isn't always the however. Railroad companies are aware of the risks associated with their work, but they fail to safeguard their employees. This is what FELA was created to be accountable for. If you suffer from a medical condition that is associated with your railroad work, seek out a seasoned mesothelioma attorney who has dealt with FELA cases successfully.