Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
As a result of the work they do railroad workers are exposed to various harmful toxins. One such toxic substance is asbestos which was used to insulate and line older train cars.
Unfortunately, these hazardous substances can be destructive to the lungs of railroad workers. Our FELA lawyers help victims of lung disease on railroads hold companies accountable for their negligence.
Asbestos
Trains are still a vital role in the nation’s freight network, despite the fact that railroads have been losing popularity in recent years due to the increasing use of automobiles. This is why railroad workers have been exposed for a long time to a variety of toxins that could impact their health. Specifically, our Boston asbestos exposure lawyer for railroad workers lawyers point out that railroad workers are usually at risk of developing lung diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Asbestos can be broken down into microscopic fibers which can be inhaled into lung. These fibers can cause severe scarring of the lung tissue, which can cause a variety of serious respiratory ailments, including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.
A man diagnosed with mesothelioma following 30 years of service for the railroad has filed a lawsuit against Illinois Central Railroad. He alleges the railroad knowingly let him work in hazardous environments without providing him with proper protective equipment or warnings of potential hazards. He claims that he breathed diesel fumes or chemicals, dust or powders, along with other particulates that impacted the lungs of his.
The plaintiff claims that Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with adequate medical care, hospitalization, medical and therapeutic treatment for his injuries and illnesses. According to the lawsuit, the railroad did not fulfill their Federal Employers Liability Act duty to provide a safe working environment for its employees.
Diesel fumes
Diesel engine fumes can have a negative impact on the health of railroad workers. In pulmonary fibrosis lawsuit , these fumes can lead to lung disease like COPD. In the case where an machinist was exposed diesel exhaust during work the employer did not provide the appropriate protective equipment. The worker developed 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 typically found in workplaces like bus depots and garages there are "growing legal claims" regarding exposure to toxic diesel fumes. Diesel exhaust contains large amounts of nitrogen oxides which can be harmful to people. Nitrogen oxides can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat and cause short-term symptoms, such as coughing or Phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes could cause chest discomfort and wheezing.
Other contaminants that can be found in rail yards are dust chemical, creosote, and dust. These toxins are breathed in, and could cause chronic health problems like COPD or lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel engine exhaust as a certain carcinogen. The agency also warns that exposure to diesel exhaust could increase the risk of bladder cancer for both men and women.
Smoking
A railroad conductor has filed an occupational health claim recently and claims that his long-term exposure to toxic chemicals caused him to develop COPD. He claims his employer did not provide him with adequate safety equipment, allowing him to inhale hundreds of compounds on a daily basis. These contaminants include diesel exhaust, fumes silica, creosote, coal smoke, metal dusts sulfur dioxide, benzene, dioxins, chemical cleaners and other airborne irritants.
The issue with these poisons is that they're capable of getting deep into the lung tissue which causes damage and eventually cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD. The chronic illness can cause shortness of breath wheezing, chronic coughing and weight loss. In certain cases it may also trigger asthma.
Railroad workers who suffer from work-related emphysema or other respiratory illnesses may be eligible for compensation under Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), 45 U.S.C. 51. This law requires that railroads provide their employees with a safe place of work that is reasonably secure.
However, this isn't always the case. Railroad companies are aware of the risks associated with their work, but they do not take the necessary precautions to protect their workers. FELA was created to hold railroad companies accountable for their negligence. If you have developed a medical condition linked to your railroad work, you should contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer that has handled successfully FELA cases.
