Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Due to the work they perform, railroad workers can be exposed to various toxic substances. One of them is asbestos which was used to insulate and line older train cars.
Unfortunately, these dangerous substances can cause havoc to the lung lungs of railroad employees. Our FELA lawyers help those suffering from railroad-related lung diseases hold corporations accountable for their wrongful actions.
cancer lawsuits are still a vital part in the nation's freight network, despite the fact that railroads have waned in popularity in recent years because of the increased use of automobiles. Railroad workers have been exposed to toxic substances for a long period of time, which could negatively impact their health. Specifically, our Boston asbestos exposure for railroad workers lawyers have noted that railway workers are usually at risk of developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Asbestos can be broken down into microscopic fibers which can be inhaled into the lung. These fibers can cause severe lung tissue scarring that could lead to a variety of serious respiratory illnesses like mesothelioma or asbestosis.
A man who was diagnosed mesothelioma after thirty years of working for the railroad has filed a suit against Illinois Central Railroad. The railroad allowed him to work in dangerous conditions, without providing him with protective equipment or warnings of potential dangers. He claims he inhaled creosote and diesel exhaust, dust, chemicals, and other particles that impacted his lung.
This man claims that the Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with sufficient medical treatment, hospitalization, therapy, and surgical care for his injuries and illnesses. According to cancer lawsuit violated its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) duty to provide its employees with a safe working environment.
Diesel fumes
Diesel engine fumes can have a negative impact on the health of railroad workers. In some instances, these fumes may cause lung ailments like COPD. In the case of a worker who was exposed to diesel exhaust at work his employer did not provide adequate protection equipment. The worker was diagnosed with COPD because of this and now uses oxygen tanks every day.
The Guardian reported in a recent article that in the United Kingdom, where diesel exhaust is frequently found in places of work like bus depots and garages there are "growing legal claims" about exposure to harmful diesel fumes. Diesel exhaust contains high levels of nitrogen oxides, which are harmful to people. Nitrogen oxides can irritate the eyes, nose or throat and cause symptoms that last a few minutes, such as coughing or Phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes may also cause chest pain and wheezing.
Other contaminants that can be found in rail yards are dust chemical, creosote, and dust. These toxic substances can be inhaled and lead to long term issues such as COPD and lung cancer. Leukemia lawsuit for Research on Cancer has classified diesel engine exhaust as a definite carcinogen. The agency warns that exposure to diesel engine exhaust can increase the risks of bladder cancer, both for females and males.
Smoking
A railroad conductor filed an occupational health claim recently and claims that his long-term exposure at work to harmful chemicals led him to develop COPD. He claims that his employer failed to provide him with appropriate safety equipment that allowed him to breathe in 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, benzene as along with chemical degreasers and dioxins.
These toxins can penetrate deep into lung tissue and cause damage, eventually leading to chronic obstructive respiratory disease (also known as COPD). This chronic condition causes shortness of breath and wheezing, coughing, and weight loss. In some cases it may also trigger asthma.
The Federal Employers Liability Act, 45 U.S.C., provides compensation to railroad workers who suffer from emphysema and other respiratory ailments caused by their work. 51. This law requires railroad companies to provide their employees with a safe place of work that is reasonably safe.
However, this isn't always the case. Railroad companies are aware of the dangers associated with their work, yet they don't take precautions to protect their workers. This is why FELA was designed to make them accountable for. If you suffer from an illness that is associated with your railroad work, seek out a seasoned mesothelioma attorney who has handled FELA cases successfully.