Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Railroad workers are exposed to many harmful toxins as a result their work. Asbestos, a material used in older train cars to line and insulate them, is one such harmful substance.
Unfortunately, these hazardous chemicals can wreck havoc on the lung lungs of railroad employees. bnsf lawsuit assist victims of railroad-related lung diseases hold corporations accountable for their actions.
Asbestos
While railroads have lost favor as a mode of transportation in recent decades as more people turn to automobiles, trains have a crucial role to play in the country's freight system. This is why railroad employees have long been exposed to various toxins that can affect their health. mesothelioma lawsuit for railroad workers observe that railroad workers are at risk of developing lung ailments such as mesothelioma or asbestosis.
Asbestos is broken into tiny fibers that can be inhaled into the lung. These fibers can cause serious scarring of lung tissue, which could result in a variety of serious respiratory illnesses, including asbestosis, mesothelioma or lung cancer.
For example a man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma following a career on the railroad for more than 30 years has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit. He claims that the railroad allowed him to work in hazardous environments, but not providing him with protective equipment or warnings about potential hazards. He claims that he inhaled diesel fumes chemical fumes, dust, chemicals and powders, in addition to other particles, which affected his lungs.
This man claims that the Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with adequate medical treatment, hospitalization, therapeutic and surgical 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 and secure work environment.
Kidney cancer lawsuit fumes
The diesel fumes that are produced by engines can affect a railroad worker's health. In certain cases the fumes can cause lung diseases such as COPD. In the case of the machinist was exposed diesel exhaust while at work, his employer did not provide adequate protection equipment. The man was diagnosed with COPD as a result, and is now using oxygen tanks every day.
The Guardian reported in a recent article that in the United Kingdom, where diesel exhaust is often found in places of work like bus depots and garages, there are "growing legal claims" regarding exposure to toxic diesel fumes. Diesel emissions contain high levels nitrogen oxides, which can be harmful to those who breathe it. Nitrogen oxides may cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, and can cause temporary symptoms like coughing or phlegm. The inhalation of diesel fumes can cause chest discomfort and wheezing.
In addition to the diesel fumes, other pollutants found in certain rail yard areas include creosote, chemicals, dust and powders. These toxic substances are inhaled and can lead to long-term issues like COPD or lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified diesel engine exhausts as carcinogens. The agency also warns that exposure to diesel exhaust can 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 says that his employer neglected to provide him with the proper safety equipment, which allowed him to breathe in hundreds of chemicals every day. These contaminants include diesel exhaust, fumes silica, creosote coal smoke, metal dusts sulfur dioxide, benzene dioxins, chemical degreasers and other airborne irritating substances.
These toxins can penetrate deep into the lung tissue, where they cause damage that can lead to chronic obstructive lung disease (also known as COPD). The chronic illness is characterized by shortness of breath wheezing, constant coughing and weight loss. In some instances, it can also cause asthma.
Railroad employees who suffer from workplace-related emphysema or other respiratory illnesses may be eligible for compensation under Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) 45 U.S.C. 51. This law requires railroad companies to offer their employees a reasonably safe place to work.
Unfortunately this isn't always situation. Railroad companies are aware of the risks that come with their job, but they often fail to safeguard their workers. FELA was established to hold railroads accountable for their blunders. If you've developed a medical condition linked to your railroad career, contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney who has handled successfully FELA cases.