Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Due to the work they perform railroad workers are exposed to a variety of harmful toxins. One of these toxic substances is asbestos, which was used to line and insulate older train cars.
Unfortunately, these harmful substances can be destructive to the lungs of railroad workers. Our FELA lawyers aid victims of railroad lung diseases hold corporations responsible for their negligent actions.
Asbestos
Although railroads have been criticized as a transportation mode in recent years as more people turn to cars, trains still have a crucial role to play in the nation's freight network. Railroad workers are exposed to toxic substances for a long time, which could negatively impact their health. Leukemia lawsuit for railroad workers recognize that railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma or asbestosis.
Asbestos can be a deadly substance which can be broken down into microscopically thin fibers that can be inhaled into the lungs. These fibers can cause serious lung tissue scarring that could lead to a variety of serious respiratory diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Leukemia lawsuit who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in the last 30 years of employment with the railroad has filed a suit against Illinois Central Railroad. The railroad claims to have knowingly allowed him to work in dangerous environments without providing him with appropriate protective equipment or warnings of potential hazards. He claims he breathed creosote, diesel exhaust powders, chemicals, dust and other particulates that impacted his lungs.
Additionally, the plaintiff claims the Illinois Central Railroad failed to provide him with the proper medical, hospital, surgical and therapeutic care for his injuries and illnesses. According to the lawsuit, the railroad did not fulfill their Federal Employers Liability Act duty to provide a safe working environment for its employees.
Diesel fumes
The fumes generated by diesel engines can affect the health of railroad workers. In some cases the fumes can cause lung diseases like COPD. In the event that an machinist was exposed diesel exhaust while working the employer did not provide adequate protection equipment. In cancer lawsuit , the man was diagnosed with COPD and is now required to utilize oxygen tanks on a regular basis.
The Guardian reported in a recent article that in the United Kingdom, where diesel exhaust is typically found in workplaces like bus depots or garages there are "growing legal claims" over exposure to toxic diesel fumes. Diesel exhaust contains large amounts of nitrogen oxides which are harmful to those who breathe it. Nitrogen oxides can irritate the nose, eyes, and throat, and can cause short-term symptoms such as coughing or phlegm. Inhaling cancer lawsuits could cause chest tightness and wheezing.
In addition to the diesel fumes, other pollutants that are found in certain rail yard environments include creosote, chemicals, dust and powders. These toxins can be breathed in and cause long-term issues such as COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified exhausts from diesel engines as a carcinogen. The agency also warns that there is evidence that exposure to diesel exhaust can increase the risk of bladder cancer in both men and women.
Smoking
A railroad conductor has filed an occupational illness claim recently and claimed that his prolonged exposure at work to toxic chemicals led him to develop COPD. cancer lawsuits claims that his employer failed to provide him with proper safety equipment that allowed him to breathe in a myriad of compounds every day. These toxins include diesel exhaust and fumes, silica, creosote, metal dusts, coal smoke, sulfur dioxide, benzene, chemical degreasers, dioxins and other airborne irritants.
The problem with these toxins is that they are capable of getting deep into the lung tissue where they cause damage, and eventually cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease commonly referred to as COPD. The chronic illness can cause shortness of breath and wheezing, coughing, and weight loss. In some instances, it can also cause asthma.
The Federal Employers Liability Act, 45 U.S.C., provides compensation for railroad workers suffering from emphysema and other respiratory diseases 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 situation. Railroad companies are aware of the dangers associated with their work, yet they don't take precautions to protect their workers. FELA was established to hold railroad companies accountable for their blunders. If you've suffered from an illness related to your railroad work, you should contact an expert mesothelioma lawyer who has successfully handled FELA cases.