Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Railroad workers are exposed to many harmful toxins as a result their work. Asbestos, which was used in older train cars to line and insulate them, is one such toxic substance.
Unfortunately, these dangerous chemicals can wreck havoc on the lung lungs of railroad employees. Our FELA lawyers assist victims of railroad lung diseases hold corporations accountable for their negligence.
Asbestos
While railroads have lost favor as a mode of transportation in recent decades since more people are turning to automobiles, trains play a vital role in the country's freight system. Railroad workers are exposed to toxins for a long time, which can negatively affect their health. Our Boston railroad worker asbestos lawyers recognize that railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as asbestosis or mesothelioma.
Asbestos can be broken down into microscopic fibers which can be breathed into the lungs. These fibers can cause severe lung tissue scarring that can cause a variety of serious respiratory ailments, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
A man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in the last 30 years of working for the railroad, has filed a lawsuit against Illinois Central Railroad. He claims that the railroad allowed him to work in hazardous conditions, without providing him with protective equipment or warnings regarding potential hazards. He claims he breathed in diesel fumes, chemicals, dust and powders, as well as other particulates that impacted his lungs.
Moreover, this man says the Illinois Central Railroad failed to provide him with the proper medical surgery, hospital, and therapeutic treatment for his injuries and ailments. According to his complaint the railroad violated its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) duty to provide its employees with a safe and secure work environment.
Diesel fumes
Diesel engine emissions can have a negative impact on the health of railroad workers. In certain cases, these fumes may cause lung diseases like COPD. In the case of one machinist who was exposed to diesel exhaust at work the employer did not provide adequate protective equipment. The worker suffered from COPD because of this and currently uses oxygen tanks throughout the day.
In the United Kingdom, where diesel exhaust from engines is commonplace in workplaces, such as bus depots and garages, a recent article by The Guardian reports that "UK legal claims are growing over exposure at work to toxic diesel fumes." Diesel exhausts contain high levels of nitrogen oxides that can be harmful to humans. Nitrogen oxides can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. They can also cause short-term discomforts such as coughing or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes can cause chest tightness and wheezing.
Other pollutants that can be found in rail yards are dust chemicals, creosote, and dust. These toxins are breathed in, and could cause long-term health issues such as COPD or lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel engine exhausts as a carcinogen. The agency warns that there are indications that exposure to diesel engine exhaust may increase the risk of bladder cancer, both for women and men.
Smoking
A railroad conductor has filed an occupational illness claim recently, claiming that his long-term exposure at work to toxic chemicals caused him to develop COPD. He claims his employer did not provide him with proper safety equipment, which allowed him to breathe in hundreds of chemicals on a daily basis. These poisons include diesel fumes as well as exhaust, silica dust, creosote, and metal dusts found in coal smoke sulfur dioxide, benzene as also chemical degreasers, and dioxins.
The problem with these toxic substances is that they are able to penetrate deep into the lung tissue where they cause damage and eventually lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which is also known as COPD. This chronic condition causes shortness of breath and wheezing, coughing, and weight loss. In some instances it may also trigger asthma.
The Federal Employers Liability Act, 45 U.S.C. provides compensation for railroad workers suffering from respiratory ailments caused by their work. 51. This law requires railroad companies to offer their employees a reasonably safe place to work.
Sadly, railroad controls limited lawsuit isn’t always the however. Railroad companies are aware of the dangers that they face in their work, yet they do not take the necessary precautions to protect their workers. FELA was created to hold railroad companies accountable for their mistakes. If you suffer from medical conditions that are connected to your railroad career, contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney who has successfully handled FELA cases successfully.