Notes

What Experts From The Field Want You To Know?
Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma

Railroad workers are exposed various harmful toxins as a result their work. Asbestos which was used in older train cars to line and insulate them, is a hazardous substance.


Unfortunately, these hazardous substances can cause serious harm to the lung of railway workers. Our FELA attorneys help victims of lung diseases caused by railroads hold corporations accountable for their wrongful actions.

Asbestos

Trains play a significant role in the country's transportation network, despite the fact that railroads have waned in popularity in recent decades because more people are choosing automobiles. Railroad workers have been exposed to toxic substances for a lengthy period of time which can adversely affect their health. Specifically the lawyers at our Boston asbestos exposure lawyer for railroad workers lawyers note that railway employees have often been at risk of developing lung diseases like asbestosis and mesothelioma.

Asbestos is a hazard that is able to break into tiny fibers that can be inhaled into the lungs. These fibers can cause serious scarring of lung tissue, which could cause a variety serious respiratory illnesses, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.

For example one man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma after working on the railroad for 30 years has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit. Multiple myeloma lawsuit claims to have knowingly allowed him to work in hazardous environments without providing him with appropriate protective equipment or warnings about potential dangers. He claims he inhaled creosote and diesel exhaust, chemicals, dust, powders and other particles that impacted his lung.

Additionally, the plaintiff claims the Illinois Central Railroad failed to provide him with the proper medical surgical, hospital and therapeutic care for his injuries and ailments. According to his lawsuit, the railroad violated its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) duty to provide its employees with a safe and secure work environment.

Diesel fumes

The fumes released by diesel engines can affect the health of railroad workers. In certain cases these fumes could cause lung diseases such as COPD. In the case where a machinist was exposed to diesel exhaust during work the company did not provide the proper protective equipment. In the end, the man was diagnosed with COPD and has to utilize oxygen tanks on a regular basis.

The Guardian reported in a recent article that in the United Kingdom, where diesel exhaust is typically found in places of work like bus depots and garages, there are "growing legal claims" concerning exposure to toxic diesel fumes. Diesel emissions contain high levels of nitrogen oxides, which are harmful to those who breathe it. Nitrogen oxides may cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. They can also trigger temporary symptoms like coughing or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes may also cause chest discomfort and wheezing.

Other contaminants that can be found in rail yards include dust chemicals, creosote, and dust. These toxins can be inhaled and lead to long term issues 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 in both females and males.

Smoking

A railroad conductor recently filed an occupational disease claim alleging his long-term exposure to toxic chemicals at work caused him to develop COPD. He claims that his employer did not provide him with appropriate safety equipment which allowed him to breathe in hundreds of compounds every day. These toxins include diesel fumes and exhaust, silica dust, creosote as well as metal dusts in coal smoke, sulfur dioxide and benzene as well as chemical degreasers and dioxins.

The problem with these toxins is that they are able to penetrate deep into the lung tissue, which can cause damage and eventually lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD. The chronic illness can cause shortness of breath and wheezing, coughing, and weight loss. In certain instances it may also trigger asthma.

Railroad workers who suffer from work-related respiratory ailments such as emphysema and other may be eligible for compensation under Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) 45 U.S.C. 51. This law requires railroads to offer their employees an adequately safe environment to work.

Sadly, this isn’t always the case. Railroad corporations are well aware of the risks they face in their job, but they often fail to safeguard workers. FELA was created to hold railroads accountable for their actions. If you suffer from an illness that is connected to your railroad career, contact a mesothelioma lawyer who has dealt with FELA cases successfully.

My Website: https://sites.google.com/view/railroadcancersettlements