Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Railroad workers are exposed to various toxic toxins that can harm them due to their work. wasatch railroad contractors lawsuit , a material used in older train cars to line and insulate them, is a toxic substance.
Unfortunately, these harmful chemicals can wreck havoc on the lung of railroad workers. Our FELA lawyers help those suffering from lung disease caused by railroads hold the companies accountable for their negligent acts.
Asbestos
Trains still play an important role in the nation’s freight network, even though railroads have been losing popularity in recent years because more people are choosing cars. Railroad workers are exposed to toxins for a long period of time, which can adversely affect their health. Our Boston asbestos lawyers for railroad workers recognize that railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases like asbestosis or mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a dangerous substance which can be broken into tiny fibers which can be breathed into the lungs. These fibers can cause severe lung tissue scarring that can cause a variety of serious respiratory illnesses including mesothelioma, asbestosis and asbestosis.
For example a man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma following a career on the railroad for more than 30 years has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit. The railroad claims to have knowingly let him work in hazardous conditions without providing appropriate protective equipment or warnings about potential hazards. He alleges that he inhaled diesel exhaust, creosote, dust, chemicals, powders and other particulates that affected his lungs.
In addition, the man claims the Illinois Central Railroad failed to provide him with the proper medical surgery, hospital, and therapeutic treatment for his injuries and ailments. According to the lawsuit, the railroad did not fulfill their Federal Employers Liability Act duty to provide a safe work environment for its employees.
Diesel fumes
The fumes released by diesel engines can affect the health of railroad workers. In some cases the fumes can cause lung diseases, such as COPD. In the case of one machinist who was exposed to diesel exhaust during work the employer did not provide adequate protective equipment. The man suffered from COPD as a result and now uses oxygen tanks every day.
The Guardian reported in a recent article that in the United Kingdom, where diesel exhaust is commonly found at workplaces like bus depots and garages there are "growing legal claims" regarding exposure to toxic diesel fumes. Diesel emissions contain significant amounts of nitrogen oxides which can be harmful to people. Nitrogen oxides can cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. They can also cause short-term symptoms like a cough or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes could cause chest tightness and wheezing.
Other pollutants that can be found in rail yards include dust chemicals, creosote, and dust. These pollutants are inhaled and could cause long-term health issues such as COPD or lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel engine exhaust as a confirmed carcinogen. The agency also warns that exposure to diesel exhaust could increase the risk of bladder cancer in both men and women.
Smoking
A railroad conductor filed an occupational illness claim recently and claimed that his prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals caused him to develop COPD. He claims that his employer neglected to provide him with appropriate safety equipment, allowing him to inhale hundreds of chemicals every day. These toxins include diesel fumes and exhaust, silica dust, creosote as well as metal dusts in coal smoke sulfur dioxide and benzene as also chemical degreasers, and dioxins.
The problem with these poisons is that they're capable of reaching deep into the lung tissue which can cause damage and eventually cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which is also known as COPD. It is a chronic disease that causes shortness of breath as well as wheezing and coughing incessantly weight loss, and in some cases, asthma.
Railroad employees who suffer from work-related emphysema or other respiratory illnesses can be compensated under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), 45 U.S.C. 51. This law requires that railroad companies provide their employees a workplace that is reasonably secure.
Unfortunately, this isn't always the reality. Railroad companies are aware of the risks that are inherent to their work, but they often fail to protect workers. This is why FELA was created to ensure they are accountable for. If you have an illness related to your railroad experience, consult a mesothelioma lawyer who has successfully handled FELA cases successfully.