Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Because of the work they do railroad workers are exposed to various harmful toxins. Asbestos, a material used in older train cars to line and insulate them, is one such toxic substance.
Unfortunately, these hazardous substances can cause serious damage to the lung of railway workers. Our FELA attorneys assist those suffering from lung disease caused by railroads hold the companies accountable for their negligent acts.
Asbestos
Trains continue to play a crucial part in the country's freight network, despite the fact that railroads have been losing popularity in recent decades due to the increasing use of automobiles. This is why railroad employees have long been exposed to a myriad of toxic substances that can affect their health. Specifically our Boston railroad worker asbestos exposure lawyers point out that railroad workers are frequently at risk of developing lung diseases like asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a hazard that can break down into microscopically thin fibers that can be inhaled into the lung. These fibers can cause serious lung tissue scarring that can cause a variety of serious respiratory conditions like mesothelioma and asbestosis.
A man diagnosed mesothelioma after 30 years of employment with the railroad, has filed a lawsuit against Illinois Central Railroad. The railroad allowed him to work in hazardous environments, without providing him with safety equipment or warnings about potential hazards. He claims he inhaled creosote, diesel exhaust chemicals, dust, powders and other particulates that impacted his lungs.
This man claims that the Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with adequate medical care, hospitalization therapy, and surgical care for his injuries and illnesses. According to his complaint the railroad has violated its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) duty to provide its employees with a safe and secure work environment.
Diesel fumes
Diesel engine fumes can have a negative impact on the health of railroad workers. In some cases the fumes can cause lung ailments like COPD. In railroad workers cancer lawsuit of a machinist had to breathe in diesel exhaust while at work, his employer did not provide the appropriate protective equipment. In the end, the man developed COPD and has to use oxygen tanks daily.
The Guardian reported in a recent article that in the United Kingdom, where diesel exhaust is frequently found in workplaces like bus depots or garages there are "growing legal claims" over exposure to toxic diesel fumes. Diesel exhaust contains significant amounts of nitrogen oxides which are harmful to people. Nitrogen oxides may cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. They can also trigger short-term symptoms like coughing or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes can also cause chest tightness and wheezing.
In addition to the diesel fumes, other contaminants found in some rail yard environments include creosote, chemicals, dust and powders. These toxins can be inhaled and lead to long term issues like COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel engine exhaust as a definitive carcinogen. The agency warns that there are indications that exposure to diesel engine exhaust may increase the risks of bladder cancer for females and males.
Smoking
A railroad conductor recently filed an occupational illness claim alleging his long-term exposure to toxic chemicals at work led him to develop COPD. He claims that his employer did not provide him with the appropriate safety equipment that allowed him to breathe in hundreds of compounds every day. These poisons include diesel exhaust and fumes, silica, creosote, coal smoke, metal dusts, sulfur dioxide, benzene, chemical degreasers, dioxins and other airborne irritating substances.
The problem with these toxins is that they are capable of getting deep into the lung tissue, which can cause damage and eventually cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which is also known as COPD. This chronic condition causes shortness of breath, persistent coughing, wheezing and weight loss. In some cases, it can also cause asthma.
Railroad employees who suffer from workplace-related respiratory diseases such as emphysema can be compensated under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) 45 U.S.C. 51. This law requires that railroads offer their employees a place of work that is reasonably secure.
Unfortunately, this isn't always the however. Railroad corporations are well aware of the risks they face in their job but they often fail to safeguard their workers. FELA was created to hold railroad companies accountable for their negligence. If you've been diagnosed with a medical condition linked to your railroad work, consult an experienced mesothelioma attorney who has successfully handled FELA cases.