Ten Things Everyone Misunderstands About Railroad Lawsuit Multiple Myeloma
Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Due to the work they do railroad workers are exposed to harmful toxins. One such toxic substance is asbestos, which was used to line and insulate older train cars.
Unfortunately, these harmful substances can cause serious harm to the lungs of railway workers. Our FELA lawyers help those suffering from lung disease on railroads hold companies accountable for their actions.
Asbestos
Trains still play an important role in the nation’s freight network, even though railroads have waned in popularity in recent decades due to the increasing use of cars. Railroad workers have been exposed to toxins for a lengthy period of time which can adversely affect their health. Specifically, our Boston asbestos exposure to railroad workers lawyers note that railway employees are usually at risk of developing lung diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Asbestos can be broken into tiny fibers that can be breathed into the lung. These fibers can cause severe scarring of lung tissue, which could cause a variety serious respiratory conditions such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.
A man who was diagnosed mesothelioma after 30 years of working for the railroad has filed a lawsuit against Illinois Central Railroad. He alleges the railroad knowingly allowed him to work in hazardous environments without supplying him with proper protective equipment or warnings of possible dangers. He claims he inhaled creosote, diesel exhaust chemicals, dust, powders and other particles that impacted his lung.
lawsuits against union pacific railroad claims that Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with adequate medical treatment, hospitalization, medical and therapeutic treatment for his injuries and illnesses. According to his complaint the railroad breached its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) duty to provide its employees with a safe and secure work environment.
Diesel fumes
Diesel engine fumes can have a negative impact on the health of railroad workers. In some cases the fumes can cause lung ailments like COPD. In the case of an machinist was exposed diesel exhaust while working the company did not provide the proper protective equipment. As a result, the man was diagnosed with COPD and is now required to use oxygen tanks on a daily basis.
In the United Kingdom, where diesel engine exhaust is common in workplaces, such as garages and bus depots the latest article published by The Guardian reports that "UK legal claims increase due to exposure to the toxic diesel fumes." Diesel emissions contain high levels of nitrogen oxides which can be harmful to humans. Nitrogen oxides can cause irritation to the nose, eyes, or throat and cause short-term symptoms such as a cough or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes could cause chest tightness and wheezing.
Other contaminants that are found in rail yards are dust, chemicals, and creosote. These toxins are breathed in, and may cause 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 there are indications that exposure to diesel engine exhaust could increase the risk of bladder cancer for both women and men.
Smoking
A railroad worker filed an occupational health claim recently and claimed that his prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals led him to develop COPD. He claims his employer did not provide him with proper safety equipment, which allowed him to inhale hundreds of chemicals every day. These poisons include diesel fumes as well as exhaust, silica dust, creosote, and metal dusts found in coal smoke, sulfur dioxide and benzene as along with chemical degreasers and dioxins.
The issue with these poisons is that they're capable of getting deep into the lung tissue where they cause damage and eventually lead to chronic obstructive lung disease or COPD. This chronic illness causes shortness-of-breath wheezing, constant coughing and weight loss. In some instances it may also trigger asthma.
The Federal Employers Liability Act, 45 U.S.C. provides compensation to railroad workers who suffer from emphysema and other respiratory diseases caused by their work. 51. This law requires railroad companies to provide their employees with a safe workplace that is reasonably safe.
Unfortunately, this isn't always the reality. Railroad companies are aware of the dangers associated with their work, yet they don't take precautions to protect their employees. FELA was created to hold railroad corporations accountable for their blunders. If you have a medical condition that is linked to your railroad career consult a mesothelioma lawyer who has dealt with FELA cases successfully.