Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Railroad workers are exposed to a variety of toxic substances that are a result of their work. csx railroad lawsuit which was used in older train cars to line and insulate them, is one of these hazardous substance.
Unfortunately, these toxic substances can cause havoc to the lung lungs of railroad employees. Our FELA attorneys help victims of lung diseases that are caused by railroads hold companies accountable for their negligence.
Asbestos
While railroads have seen a decline in terms of transportation in recent decades as more people turn to automobiles, trains play a significant role in the nation's network of freight. Railroad workers are exposed to toxins for a long time which can adversely affect their health. Particularly, our Boston asbestos exposure for railroad workers lawyers have noted that railway workers are frequently at risk for developing lung diseases such as asbestosis and mesothelioma.
Asbestos is a hazard that is able to break into microscopically thin fibers that can be inhaled into the lungs. These fibers can cause serious scarring of lung tissue, which can cause a variety of serious respiratory diseases, such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.
A man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma, after 30 years of working for the railroad, has filed a lawsuit against Illinois Central Railroad. The railroad claims to have knowingly let him work in hazardous environments without providing appropriate safety equipment or warnings of possible dangers. He claims he inhaled creosote, diesel exhaust dust, chemicals, and other particulates that affected his lungs.
Moreover, this man says the Illinois Central Railroad failed to provide him with adequate medical surgery, hospital, and therapeutic 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 their employees.
Diesel fumes
Diesel engine fumes can have a negative impact on the health of railroad workers. In certain instances they can cause lung diseases like COPD. In the case of an machinist was exposed diesel exhaust while at work, his employer did not provide adequate protective equipment. As a result, the man was diagnosed with COPD and is required to use oxygen tanks every day.
The Guardian reported in a recent article that in the United Kingdom, where diesel exhaust is frequently found in places of work like bus depots and garages there are "growing legal claims" about exposure to harmful diesel fumes. Diesel emissions contain high levels of nitrogen oxides, which can be harmful to those who breathe it. Nitrogen oxides may cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. csx railroad lawsuit can also cause short-term symptoms such as a cough or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes could cause chest discomfort and wheezing.
Other pollutants that can be found in rail yards include dust chemicals, creosote, and dust. These toxins can be inhaled and cause long-term issues like COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel engine exhaust as a certain carcinogen. The agency also warns that exposure to diesel exhaust may increase the risk of bladder cancer in men and women.
Smoking
BNSF Railway lawsuit filed an occupational health claim claiming that his prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals at work led him to develop COPD. He says that his employer failed to provide him with appropriate safety equipment, which allowed him to inhale hundreds of chemicals every day. These toxins include diesel exhaust and fumes, silica, creosote, metal dusts, coal smoke sulfur dioxide, benzene dioxins, chemical cleaners and other airborne irritants.
These toxins can penetrate deep into lung tissue where they cause damage, eventually leading to chronic obstructive respiratory disease (also known as 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. offers compensation to railroad workers who suffer from respiratory illnesses caused by their work. 51. This law requires railroads to offer their employees an adequately safe environment to work.
Sadly, this isn’t always the situation. union pacific railroad lawsuits are aware of the risks associated with their work, but they do not take the necessary precautions to protect their employees. This is the reason why FELA was created to ensure they are accountable for. If you have developed a medical condition that was caused by your railroad work, consult an experienced mesothelioma lawyer who has successfully handled FELA cases.