Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
As a result of the work they perform, railroad workers can be exposed to a variety of toxic substances. One of them is asbestos that was used to line and insulate older train cars.
Unfortunately, these harmful 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 actions.
Asbestos
Trains play a significant part in the nation's freight network, even though railroads have waned in popularity in recent decades because of the increased use of cars. Therefore, railroad workers have been exposed to various toxic substances that could influence their health. Particularly the lawyers at our Boston asbestos exposure lawyer for railroad workers lawyers point out that railroad workers have often been at risk for developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Asbestos can be broken into tiny fibers that can be inhaled into lungs. These fibers can cause serious scarring of the lung tissue, which could lead to a number of serious respiratory diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
For example one man diagnosed with mesothelioma after working on the railroad for over 30 years has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit. He claims that the railroad allowed workers to work in dangerous environments, without providing him with safety equipment or warnings about potential hazards. He claims he breathed in diesel fumes, chemicals, dust and powders, in addition to other particulates, which affected the lungs of his.
Additionally, the plaintiff claims the Illinois Central Railroad failed to provide him with adequate medical, hospital, surgical and therapeutic care for his injuries and ailments. According to his complaint the railroad violated its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) obligation to provide its employees with a safe working environment.
Diesel fumes
The fumes released by diesel engines can affect a railroad worker's health. In some cases these fumes could cause lung diseases like COPD. In the case of the machinist was exposed diesel exhaust during work the employer did not provide the appropriate protective equipment. The man developed COPD and has to utilize oxygen tanks on a regular basis.
In the United Kingdom, where diesel engine exhaust is prevalent in workplaces, such as bus depots and garages, the latest article published by The Guardian reports that "UK legal claims are growing over exposure at work to harmful diesel fumes." Diesel emissions contain high levels of nitrogen oxides which can be harmful to human health. Nitrogen oxides can cause irritation to the nose, eyes, and throat. They can also trigger temporary symptoms like a cough or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes could cause chest tightness and wheezing.
Other contaminants that are found in rail yards include dust and chemicals, as well as creosote. These toxic substances are inhaled and can lead to long-term health issues such as COPD or lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified exhausts from diesel engines as a carcinogen. The agency also warns that exposure to diesel exhaust could increase the risk of bladder cancer for both men as well as women.
Smoking
A railroad conductor filed an occupational health claim recently, claiming that his long-term exposure to toxic chemicals led him to develop COPD. lung cancer lawsuit from smoking claims the company he worked for did not provide him with the proper safety equipment, which allowed him to breathe in hundreds of chemicals every day. These toxic substances include diesel exhaust and fumes silica, creosote, coal smoke, metal dusts sulfur dioxide, benzene chemical degreasers, dioxins and other airborne irritating substances.
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 or COPD. This chronic condition causes shortness of breath wheezing, constant coughing and weight loss. In some cases it may also trigger asthma.
The Federal Employers Liability Act, 45 U.S.C. offers compensation to railroad workers suffering from emphysema and other respiratory ailments caused by their work. 51. This law requires railroad companies to provide their employees with a safe workplace that is reasonably safe.
Unfortunately this isn't always case. Railroad companies are aware of the risks associated with their work, but they often fail to protect workers. This is what FELA was created to be accountable for. If you've developed an illness that is related to your railroad work, consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who has successfully handled FELA cases.