Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
As a result of the work they perform railroad workers are exposed to numerous harmful toxins. One of the most toxic substances is asbestos which was used to line and insulate older train cars.
Unfortunately, these hazardous substances can wreak havoc on the lungs of railroad workers. Leukemia lawsuit assist victims of lung disease on railroads hold companies responsible for their negligent actions.
Asbestos
Although railroads have fallen out of favor as a means of transportation in recent years since more people are turning to automobiles, trains play a significant role in the country's freight system. Therefore, railroad employees have long been exposed to various toxic substances that could influence their health. Particularly the lawyers at our Boston asbestos exposure for railroad workers lawyers have noted that railway workers are usually at risk for developing lung diseases, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Asbestos can be a deadly substance that can break into microscopically thin fibers that can be breathed into the lungs. These fibers can cause serious scarring of the lung tissue, which could cause a variety of serious respiratory ailments, including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.
A man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in the last 30 years of service for the railroad has filed a suit against Illinois Central Railroad. cancer lawsuits alleges the railroad knowingly let him work in hazardous environments without supplying him with adequate protective equipment or warnings of possible hazards. cancer lawsuits claims he inhaled creosote, diesel exhaust, dust, chemicals, powders 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 surgical, and therapeutic treatment for his injuries and ailments. According to his complaint the railroad has violated its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) obligation to provide 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 may cause lung diseases, such as COPD. In the case of one worker who was exposed to diesel exhaust while at work His employer failed to provide the appropriate protective equipment. cancer lawsuits suffered from COPD because of this and currently uses oxygen tanks throughout the day.
The Guardian reported in a recent article that in the United Kingdom, where diesel exhaust is frequently found in workplaces like bus depots and garages, there are "growing legal claims" over exposure to toxic diesel fumes. Diesel emissions contain high levels nitrogen oxides, which can be harmful to people. Nitrogen oxides can cause irritation to the nose, eyes and throat and may cause symptoms that last a few minutes, such as a cough or Phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes may cause chest tightness and wheezing.
Other pollutants that can be found in rail yards are dust and chemicals, as well as creosote. These toxins are breathed in, and can cause long-term health issues such as COPD or lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified exhausts from diesel engines as carcinogens. The agency warns that there are indications that exposure to diesel engine exhaust can increase the risks of bladder cancer in both men and women.
Smoking
A railroad conductor recently filed an occupational ill health claim claiming that his prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals at work caused him to develop COPD. He claims that his employer failed to provide him with proper safety equipment that allowed him to breathe in hundreds of chemicals every day. These toxins include diesel fumes and 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 issue with these toxins is that they are capable of getting deep into the lung tissue, which causes damage and eventually lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, also known as COPD. The chronic illness can cause shortness of breath and wheezing, 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 are eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), 45 U.S.C. 51. This law requires railroads to provide their employees with a reasonably safe place to work.
Sadly, this isn’t always the case. Railroad corporations are well aware of the risks associated with their work but they often fail to safeguard their workers. This negligence is what FELA was designed to make them accountable for. If you've been diagnosed with a medical condition linked to your railroad experience, get in touch with an expert mesothelioma lawyer who has successfully handled FELA cases.