Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Railroad workers are exposed various harmful toxins as a result their work. One of them is asbestos that was used to insulate and line older train cars.
Unfortunately, these dangerous substances can be destructive to the lung lungs of railroad employees. Our FELA lawyers assist victims of railroad-related lung diseases hold corporations accountable for their negligence.
Asbestos
While railroads have seen a decline as a means of transportation in recent decades since more people are turning to cars, trains still play a significant role in the country's freight system. Therefore, railroad workers have been exposed for a long time to various toxic substances that could influence their health. Our Boston asbestos lawyers for railroad workers have observed that railroad employees are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma or asbestosis.
Asbestos is a dangerous substance that can break into tiny, thin fibers that can be breathed into the lungs. These fibers can cause severe lung tissue scarring that can cause a variety of serious respiratory ailments including mesothelioma, asbestosis and asbestosis.
A man diagnosed with mesothelioma in the last 30 years of service for the railroad has filed a suit against Illinois Central Railroad. The railroad allowed him to work in dangerous environments, but did not provide the necessary protective equipment or warnings regarding potential hazards. He claims he inhaled creosote and diesel exhaust, dust, chemicals, and other particles that impacted his lung.
The man claims that the Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with sufficient 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) obligation to provide employees with a safe work environment.
Diesel fumes
Diesel engine emissions can have a negative impact on the health of railroad workers. In certain instances, these fumes can cause lung diseases such as COPD. In the case where a machinist was exposed to diesel exhaust during work the employer did not provide the proper protective equipment. Leukemia lawsuit was diagnosed with COPD due to this exposure and now utilizes oxygen tanks each 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" over exposure to toxic diesel fumes. Diesel emissions contain 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 such as coughing or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes may cause chest tightness and wheezing.
In addition to the diesel fumes, other pollutants found in certain rail yard environments include creosote, chemicals, dust and powders. These toxic substances can be inhaled and can cause long-term problems like COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel engine exhaust as a certain carcinogen. The agency warns that exposure to diesel engine exhaust could increase the risks of bladder cancer for females and males.
Smoking
A railroad worker filed an occupational health claim recently, claiming that his continuous exposure to harmful chemicals led him to develop COPD. The claimant claims that his employer neglected to provide him with adequate safety equipment, which allowed 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, dioxins, chemical degreasers, and other airborne irritating substances.
These toxins can be absorbed into lung tissue where they cause damage, which can eventually lead to chronic obstructive lung disease (also known as COPD). This chronic condition causes shortness of breath wheezing, chronic coughing and weight loss. In certain instances it may also trigger asthma.
The Federal Employers Liability Act, 45 U.S.C. offers compensation to railroad workers suffering from respiratory illnesses that result from their work. 51. This law requires railroad companies to provide their employees with a place of work that is reasonably secure.
However, this isn't always the case. union pacific railroad lawsuit are aware of the risks associated with their work, but they fail to safeguard their workers. This is the reason why FELA was created to ensure they are accountable for. If you've developed a medical condition that was caused by your railroad work, you should contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney who has successfully handled FELA cases.