Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Railroad workers are exposed various toxic substances that are a result of their work. One such toxic substance is asbestos that was used to line and insulate older train cars.
Unfortunately, these toxic substances can cause serious damage to the lungs of railway workers. Our FELA lawyers help victims of lung diseases caused by railroads hold corporations accountable for their negligence.
Asbestos
Trains continue to play a crucial part in the country's freight network, even though railroads have lost their popularity in recent decades because more people are choosing automobiles. Railroad workers are exposed to toxins for a lengthy period of time which can negatively affect their health. Particularly cancer lawsuits for railroad workers lawyers note that railway employees have often been at risk for developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Asbestos is a hazardous substance that can break into microscopically thin fibers that can be inhaled into the lung. These fibers can cause severe lung tissue scarring, which can lead a number serious respiratory ailments like mesothelioma or asbestosis.
For instance a man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma after working on the railroad for more than 30 years has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit. He claims that the railroad allowed him to work in dangerous environments, but did not provide the necessary protective equipment or warnings about possible dangers. cancer lawsuit claims that he inhaled diesel fumes as well as chemicals, dust and powders, along with other particulates that impacted the lungs of his.
The man claims that the Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with sufficient medical care, hospitalization, therapeutic and surgical treatment for his injuries and illnesses. According to his lawsuit the railroad breached its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) duty to provide its employees with a safe working environment.
Bladder cancer lawsuit fumes
The fumes released by diesel engines can be harmful to a railroad worker's health. In certain instances the fumes can lead to lung disease like COPD. In the instance where a machinist had to breathe in diesel exhaust while working his employer failed to provide adequate protection equipment. In the process, the man developed COPD and is required 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, a recent article by The Guardian reports that "UK legal claims are growing over exposure to harmful diesel fumes." Diesel emissions contain high levels of nitrogen oxides, which can be harmful to humans. Nitrogen oxides can cause irritation to the nose, eyes and throat. They can also trigger short-term discomforts such as a cough or phlegm. The inhalation of diesel fumes can cause chest discomfort and wheezing.
In addition to diesel fumes, other contaminants found in the rail yard include chemicals, creosote, dust and powders. Leukemia lawsuit can be inhaled and cause long-term problems such as COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel engine exhausts as carcinogens. The agency warns that there are indications that exposure to diesel engine exhaust could increase the risk of bladder cancer for women and men.
Smoking
A railroad conductor recently filed an occupational disease claim claiming that his exposure to toxic chemicals at work caused him to develop COPD. He claims that his employer failed to provide him with appropriate safety equipment, allowing him to inhale hundreds of compounds on a daily basis. These contaminants include diesel exhaust, fumes, silica, creosote, metal dusts, coal smoke, sulfur dioxide, benzene, dioxins, chemical degreasers, and other airborne irritating substances.
The issue with these contaminants is that they're capable of getting deep into the lung tissue, which causes damage and eventually lead to chronic obstructive-pulmonary disease or COPD. This chronic condition causes shortness of breath wheezing, constant coughing and weight loss. In some cases, it can also cause asthma.
Railroad workers who suffer from work-related respiratory diseases such as emphysema are eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), 45 U.S.C. 51. cancer lawsuit requires that railroad companies provide their employees with a place of work that is reasonably secure.
Unfortunately, this isn't always the however. Railroad companies are aware of the dangers associated with their work however, they are often unable to safeguard workers. FELA was established to hold railroads accountable for their blunders. If you've been diagnosed with a medical condition that was caused by your railroad career, contact an expert mesothelioma lawyer who has successfully handled FELA cases.