Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Railroad workers are exposed to numerous harmful toxins as a result their work. Asbestos, which was utilized in older train cars to line and insulate them, is a harmful substance.
Unfortunately, these harmful substances can be destructive to the lung of railroad workers. Our FELA lawyers assist victims of lung diseases that are caused by railroads hold companies accountable for their negligence.
Asbestos
Although railroads have fallen out of favor as a mode of transportation in recent decades since more people are turning to automobiles, trains play a vital role in the nation's network of freight. Railroad employees have long been exposed to a variety of toxins that could affect their health. Specifically our Boston railroad worker asbestos exposure lawyers note that railway employees have often been at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Asbestos is broken down into microscopic fibers which can be inhaled into lung. These fibers can cause severe lung tissue scarring that can lead a number serious respiratory diseases, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.
A man diagnosed with mesothelioma following 30 years of employment with the railroad and filed a lawsuit against Illinois Central Railroad. The railroad allowed him to work in hazardous environments, without providing the necessary protective equipment or warnings regarding potential hazards. He claims he breathed creosote and diesel exhaust, chemicals, dust, powders and other particulates that impacted his lungs.
Furthermore, the plaintiff claims that the Illinois Central Railroad failed to provide him with adequate medical, hospital, surgical and therapeutic care for his injuries and illnesses. According to his lawsuit the railroad has violated its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) duty to provide its employees with a safe working environment.
Diesel fumes
Diesel engine emissions can have a negative effect on the health of railroad workers. In certain instances, these fumes can lead to lung disease such as COPD. In the case of a worker who was exposed diesel exhaust during work His employer failed to provide the proper protection equipment. In cancer lawsuits , the man was diagnosed with COPD and now needs to use oxygen tanks every day.
In the United Kingdom, where diesel engine exhaust is a common sight in workplaces like garages and bus depots the latest article published by The Guardian reports that "UK legal cases increase over exposure at work to harmful diesel fumes." Diesel exhausts contain high amounts of nitrogen oxides that can be harmful to human health. Nitrogen oxides may cause irritation to the nose, eyes and throat. They can also cause short-term symptoms like a cough or phlegm. Inhaling Bladder cancer lawsuit could cause chest tightness and wheezing.
In addition to the diesel fumes, other pollutants that are found in some rail yard environments include chemicals, creosote dust and powders. These pollutants are inhaled and can lead to chronic health problems like COPD or lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel engine exhausts as carcinogens. The agency warns that exposure to diesel engine exhaust may increase the risk of bladder cancer, both for women and men.
Smoking
Bladder cancer lawsuit filed an occupational health claim recently, claiming that his continuous exposure to harmful chemicals led him to develop COPD. The claimant claims that the company he worked for did not provide him with proper safety equipment, allowing him to inhale hundreds of compounds on a daily basis. These poisons include diesel exhaust and fumes, silica, creosote, metal dusts, coal smoke, sulfur dioxide, benzene dioxins, chemical degreasers, and other airborne irritants.
The toxins can seep deep into lung tissue and cause damage, which eventually leads to chronic obstructive respiratory disorder (also known as COPD). This is a chronic condition that causes shortness of breath wheezing and coughing that is persistent weight loss, and in certain instances, asthma.
The Federal Employers Liability Act, 45 U.S.C. offers compensation to railroad workers suffering from respiratory diseases caused by their work. 51. union pacific railroad lawsuit requires railroad companies to offer their employees a reasonably safe place to work.
However this isn't always situation. Railroad corporations are well aware of the risks that come with their job however, they are often unable to safeguard their workers. FELA was established to hold railroads accountable for their negligence. If you have a medical condition that is associated with your railroad work, contact a mesothelioma lawyer who has dealt with FELA cases successfully.