Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Railroad workers are exposed to various toxic substances that are a result of their work. One of these toxic substances is asbestos, which was used to insulate and line older train cars.
Unfortunately, these dangerous substances can wreak havoc on the lungs of railroad workers. Our FELA lawyers help those suffering from railroad-related lung diseases hold corporations accountable for their negligent acts.
Asbestos
While railroads have lost favor in terms of transportation in recent decades as more people switch to automobiles, trains are a major component of the nation's network of freight. Railroad workers are exposed to toxins for a long time, which could negatively impact their health. Our Boston asbestos lawyers for railroad workers note that railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases such as asbestosis or mesothelioma.
BNSF Railway lawsuit is a hazard which can be broken down into microscopically thin fibers that can be breathed into the lung. These fibers can cause severe scarring of the lung tissue, which could cause a variety serious respiratory conditions such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.
For instance one man diagnosed with mesothelioma after working on the railroad for 30 years has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit. union pacific railroad lawsuits allowed him to work in dangerous conditions, without providing him with safety equipment or warnings about possible hazards. He claims that he inhaled diesel fumes or chemicals, dust or powders, along with other particles that affected the lungs of his.
The plaintiff claims that Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with adequate medical treatment, hospitalization, therapeutic and surgical treatment for his injuries and ailments. According to the lawsuit, the railroad violated their Federal Employers Liability Act duty to provide a safe work environment for employees.
Diesel fumes
The fumes released by diesel engines can impact the health of railroad workers. In certain instances the fumes can cause lung diseases like COPD. In the event that an machinist was exposed diesel exhaust while at work his employer failed to provide adequate protective equipment. The man suffered from COPD because of this 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" concerning exposure to toxic diesel fumes. Diesel exhaust contains high levels nitrogen oxides, which can be harmful to people. Nitrogen oxides may cause irritation to the nose, eyes and throat. They can also cause short-term symptoms like coughing or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes could cause chest tightness and wheezing.
In addition to the diesel fumes and other pollutants, others that can be found in the rail yard include chemicals, creosote 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 definite carcinogen. The agency also warns that there is evidence that exposure to diesel exhaust may increase the risk of bladder cancer in men as well as women.
Smoking
A railroad conductor recently filed an occupational health claim alleging his long-term exposure to toxic chemicals at work led him to develop COPD. He claims that his employer failed to provide him with proper safety equipment which allowed him to breathe in hundreds of compounds each day. lung cancer mesothelioma lawsuit include diesel exhaust and fumes, silica, creosote, metal dusts, coal smoke, sulfur dioxide, benzene, dioxins, chemical cleaners 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 is a chronic condition which causes breathlessness, persistent coughing and wheezing weight loss, and in certain cases asthma.
The Federal Employers Liability Act, 45 U.S.C. provides compensation to railroad workers suffering from respiratory ailments caused by their work. 51. This law requires that railroad companies provide their employees with a safe workplace that is reasonably safe.
However, this isn't always the case. union pacific railroad lawsuits are aware of the risks that they face in their work, but they do not take the necessary precautions to protect their employees. FELA was established to hold railroad companies accountable for their actions. If you have a medical condition that is associated with your railroad work, seek out a seasoned mesothelioma attorney who has successfully handled FELA cases successfully.