Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Due to their work, railroad workers can be exposed to numerous toxic substances. Asbestos, which was utilized in older train cars to line them and insulate them, is one of these hazardous substance.
Unfortunately, these hazardous substances can cause serious damage to the lung of railway workers. Our FELA lawyers help those suffering from lung diseases caused by railroads hold corporations accountable for their wrongful actions.
Asbestos
Trains are still a vital part in the country's freight network, even though railroads have lost their popularity in recent years because of the increased use of automobiles. railroad lawsuits are exposed to toxins for a lengthy period of time which can negatively affect their health. Particularly the lawyers at our Boston railroad worker asbestos exposure lawyers point out that railroad workers are usually at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Asbestos can be broken down into microscopic fibers which can be inhaled into lung. These fibers can cause severe lung tissue scarring that could lead to a variety of serious respiratory diseases like mesothelioma or asbestosis.
For example one man diagnosed with mesothelioma after working on the railroad for 30 years has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit. The railroad claims to have knowingly allowed him to work in hazardous environments without providing him with appropriate protective equipment or warnings of potential dangers. He claims he breathed in diesel fumes chemical fumes, dust, chemicals and powders, along with other particles that affected his lungs.
Additionally, the plaintiff claims the Illinois Central Railroad failed to provide him with the proper medical surgical, hospital, and therapeutic care for his injuries and ailments. 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
The fumes released by diesel engines can affect the health of railroad workers. In certain cases, these fumes can cause lung diseases like COPD. In the event that the machinist was exposed diesel exhaust while working the company did not provide the proper protective equipment. The man suffered from COPD because of this and is now using oxygen tanks every day.
In the United Kingdom, where diesel engine exhaust is a common sight in workplaces such as bus depots and garages, a recent article by The Guardian reports that "UK legal claims grow over exposure at work to toxic diesel fumes." Diesel emissions contain high levels of nitrogen oxides, which can be harmful to humans. Nitrogen oxides may cause irritation to the nose, eyes and throat. They can also trigger short-term symptoms such as coughing or phlegm. The inhalation of diesel fumes can cause chest discomfort and wheezing.
Other contaminants that are found in rail yards are dust and chemicals, as well as creosote. These toxic substances can be inhaled and cause long-term issues such as COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel engine exhaust as a definite carcinogen. The agency warns that there are indications that exposure to diesel engine exhaust may increase the risks of bladder cancer for both women and men.
Smoking
A railroad conductor filed an occupational health claim recently, claiming that his long-term exposure at work to toxic chemicals caused him to develop COPD. He claims the company he worked for did not provide him with adequate safety equipment, which allowed him to inhale hundreds of compounds on a daily basis. These contaminants include diesel fumes and exhaust, silica dust creosote, and metal dusts found in coal smoke, sulfur dioxide and benzene as well as chemical degreasers and dioxins.
The problem with these toxic substances is that they are capable of getting deep into the lung tissue which can cause damage and eventually cause 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 may also trigger asthma.
Railroad employees who suffer from workplace-related respiratory ailments such as emphysema and other can be compensated under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) 45 U.S.C. 51. This law requires railroads to provide their employees with an acceptable and secure place to work.
However, this isn't always the reality. Railroad companies are aware of the dangers associated with their work, yet they fail to protect their workers. FELA was created to hold railroad companies accountable for their negligence. If you have an illness linked to your railroad career consult a mesothelioma lawyer who has successfully handled FELA cases successfully.