Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Railroad workers are exposed to various toxic substances that are a result of their work. Asbestos, a material used in older train cars to line them and insulate them, is a harmful substance.
Unfortunately, these hazardous substances can cause serious harm to the lungs of railway workers. Our FELA lawyers assist victims of lung diseases that are caused by railroads hold companies accountable for their negligent acts.
Asbestos
While railroads have lost favor as a mode of transportation in recent years as more people shift to cars, trains still play a significant role in the country's freight system. Railroad workers are exposed to toxic substances for a long time which can negatively affect their health. Our Boston asbestos lawyers for railroad workers have observed that railroad employees are at risk of developing lung diseases such as asbestosis or mesothelioma.
Asbestos can be a deadly substance that can break down into microscopically thin fibers that can be breathed into the lungs. These fibers can cause severe lung tissue scarring, which can lead a number serious respiratory ailments, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
For instance one man diagnosed with mesothelioma after working on the railroad for 30 years has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit. The railroad allowed him to work in dangerous environments, but did not provide protection equipment or warnings of potential hazards. He claims that he inhaled diesel fumes chemical fumes, dust, chemicals and powders, as well as other particles, which affected his lungs.
In addition, the man claims the Illinois Central Railroad failed to provide him with adequate medical, hospital, surgical and therapeutic treatment for his injuries and ailments. According to the lawsuit, the railroad did not fulfill their Federal Employers Liability Act duty to provide a safe working environment for their employees.
Diesel fumes
The exhaust fumes produced by diesel engines can be harmful to a railroad worker's health. In some instances they can cause lung diseases like COPD. In the case of a worker who was exposed to diesel exhaust during work, his employer failed to provide adequate protective equipment. The worker developed COPD as a result, and now uses oxygen tanks every day.
In the United Kingdom, where diesel engine exhaust is prevalent in workplaces such as garages and bus depots, an article recently published by The Guardian reports that "UK legal claims are growing over exposure to toxic diesel fumes." Diesel emissions contain high levels of nitrogen oxides that can be harmful to human health. Nitrogen oxides can irritate the nose, eyes and throat and cause temporary symptoms like 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. 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 definite carcinogen. The agency warns that there are indications that exposure to diesel engine exhaust may increase the risks of bladder cancer, both for females and males.
Smoking
Kidney cancer lawsuit filed an occupational illness claim recently, claiming that his continuous exposure to harmful chemicals led him to develop COPD. He says that his employer neglected to provide him with appropriate safety equipment, allowing him to breathe in hundreds of compounds on a daily basis. These contaminants include diesel exhaust, fumes silica, creosote metal dusts, coal smoke, sulfur dioxide, benzene, chemical degreasers, dioxins and other airborne irritating substances.
The toxins can seep deep into the lung tissue, where they cause damage that can lead to chronic obstructive respiratory disease (also known as COPD). This chronic illness causes shortness-of-breath, persistent coughing, wheezing and weight loss. In certain cases it may also trigger asthma.
The Federal Employers Liability Act, 45 U.S.C., provides compensation to railroad workers who suffer from respiratory ailments caused by their work. 51. This law requires railroad companies to provide their employees with an acceptable and secure place to work.
However, this isn't always the however. Railroad companies are aware of the dangers that are inherent to their work, but they often fail to protect workers. FELA was established to hold railroad companies accountable for their actions. If you have an illness that is linked to your railroad career contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney who has successfully handled FELA cases successfully.