What Is Railroad Lawsuit Multiple Myeloma And Why Is Everyone Talking About It?
Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
As a result of their work railroad workers are exposed to a variety of harmful toxins. Asbestos which was used in older train cars to line and insulate them, is one such harmful substance.
Unfortunately, these hazardous substances can cause serious harm to the lung of railway workers. Our FELA lawyers assist victims of lung diseases caused by railroads hold corporations responsible for their negligent actions.
Asbestos
Trains are still a vital part in the country's freight network, even though railroads have been losing popularity in recent years due to more people choosing automobiles. Railroad workers are exposed to toxins for a long time, which can have a negative impact on their health. Specifically railroad lawsuit settlements have noted that railway workers have often been at risk for developing lung diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Asbestos is broken down into microscopic fibers which can be inhaled into lung. These fibers can cause severe lung tissue scarring, which could lead to a variety of serious respiratory illnesses like mesothelioma and asbestosis.
For instance one 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 safety equipment or warnings regarding potential hazards. He claims that he breathed creosote and diesel exhaust, dust, chemicals, and other particulates that impacted his lung.
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 ailments. According to his lawsuit the railroad violated its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) obligation to provide employees with a safe working environment.
Diesel fumes
The fumes released by diesel engines can impact the health of railroad workers. In some instances the fumes can cause lung diseases like COPD. In the event that a machinist was exposed to diesel exhaust while working his employer failed to provide adequate protection equipment. The man developed 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 workplaces like bus depots and garages there are "growing legal claims" regarding exposure to toxic diesel fumes. Diesel emissions contain significant amounts of nitrogen oxides which can be harmful to people. Nitrogen oxides can cause irritation to the nose, eyes and throat and cause temporary symptoms like coughing or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes can also cause chest tightness and wheezing.
Other contaminants that can be found in rail yards include dust, chemicals, and creosote. These toxins are inhaled, and could cause long-term health issues such as COPD or lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified exhausts from diesel engines as a carcinogen. The agency also warns that exposure to diesel exhaust can increase the risk of bladder cancer in men and women.
Smoking
A railroad conductor recently filed an occupational ill health claim alleging his long-term exposure to toxic chemicals at work caused him to develop COPD. He claims his employer failed to provide him with adequate safety equipment, which allowed him to breathe in hundreds of chemicals on a daily basis. These poisons include diesel fumes as well as exhaust, silica dust creosote, and metal dusts found in coal smoke, sulfur dioxide and benzene as also chemical degreasers, and dioxins.
These toxins can penetrate deep into lung tissue and cause damage, which can eventually lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also known as COPD). This chronic illness causes shortness-of-breath wheezing, chronic coughing and weight loss. In certain cases, it can also cause asthma.
Railroad workers who suffer from work-related respiratory diseases such as emphysema may be eligible for compensation under Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), 45 U.S.C. 51. This law requires railroad companies to provide their employees with an acceptable and secure place to work.
However, this isn't always the reality. Railroad companies are aware of the dangers associated with their work, yet they fail to safeguard their workers. This negligence is what FELA was designed to make them accountable for. If you've suffered from a medical condition that was caused by your railroad career, contact an experienced mesothelioma lawyer that has handled successfully FELA cases.