Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma Due to the work they perform railroad workers are exposed to numerous toxic substances. One of them is asbestos, which was used to line and insulate older train cars. Unfortunately, these harmful substances can cause serious damage to the lung of railway workers. Our FELA attorneys help victims of railroad-related lung diseases hold corporations accountable for their negligent acts. Asbestos Trains play a significant role in the country's transportation network, even though railroads have seen a decline in popularity in recent years due to more people choosing automobiles. This is why railroad workers have been exposed for a long time to a myriad of toxic substances that can affect their health. Our Boston asbestos lawyers for railroad workers observe that railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases, such as asbestosis or mesothelioma. Asbestos can be broken into tiny fibers that can be inhaled into lungs. These fibers can cause severe scarring of lung tissue, which could result in a variety of serious respiratory ailments, including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. For instance, a man diagnosed with mesothelioma after working on the railroad for over 30 years has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit. The railroad allowed him to work in hazardous environments, but did not provide him with safety equipment or warnings about potential dangers. He claims that he breathed creosote, diesel exhaust, powders, chemicals, dust and other particles that impacted his lungs. The plaintiff claims that Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with sufficient medical treatment, hospitalization, medical 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 working environment. Diesel fumes Diesel engine fumes can have a negative effect on the health of railroad workers. In railroad lawsuits could cause lung diseases such as COPD. In the case of a worker who was exposed to diesel exhaust while working his employer did not provide adequate protective equipment. The man suffered from COPD as a result, and now uses oxygen tanks every day. The Guardian reported in a recent article that in the United Kingdom, where diesel exhaust is often found in workplaces like bus depots and garages, there are growing legal claims regarding exposure to toxic diesel fumes. Diesel exhaust contains significant amounts of nitrogen oxides which can be harmful to those who breathe it. Nitrogen oxides may cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat. They can also trigger short-term symptoms such as a cough or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes can cause chest tightness and wheezing. Other pollutants that can be found in rail yards are dust chemical, creosote, and dust. These toxic substances can be inhaled and lead to long term problems such as COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel engine exhaust as a definitive carcinogen. The agency also warns that there is evidence that exposure to diesel exhaust could increase the risk of bladder cancer among men and women. Smoking A railroad conductor recently filed an occupational disease claim, claiming that his exposure to toxic chemicals at work caused him to develop COPD. He claims that his employer did not provide him with proper safety equipment, which allowed him to breathe in hundreds of compounds every day. These toxic substances include diesel fumes, exhaust, silica dust, creosote and metal dusts that are found in coal smoke sulfur dioxide, benzene and as in chemical degreasers as well as dioxins. These toxins can be absorbed into lung tissue and cause damage that can lead to chronic obstructive respiratory disease (also known as COPD). This is a chronic illness that can cause shortness of breath as well as wheezing and coughing incessantly and weight loss, and in certain instances asthma. The Federal Employers Liability Act, 45 U.S.C. provides compensation for railroad employees suffering from emphysema and other respiratory illnesses that result from their work. 51. This law requires that railroad companies provide their employees with a safe workplace that is reasonably safe. Unfortunately this isn't always the case. Railroad corporations are well aware of the dangers they face in their job However, they fail to safeguard workers. This is why FELA was created to ensure they are accountable for. If you've suffered from an illness that is related to your railroad work, consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who has handled successfully FELA cases.
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