5 Railroad Lawsuit Multiple Myeloma Lessons Learned From Professionals

Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma

Because of the work they perform, railroad workers can be exposed to various toxic substances. One of the most toxic substances is asbestos that was used to insulate and line older train cars.

Unfortunately, these harmful substances can cause serious damage to the lung of railway workers. Our FELA lawyers help victims of lung disease on railroads hold companies accountable for their actions.

Asbestos

Trains play a significant role in the nation’s freight network, even though railroads have seen a decline in popularity in recent years because of the increased use of automobiles. Railroad workers have been exposed to toxins for a lengthy period of time which can negatively affect their health. Our Boston railroad worker asbestos lawyers have observed that railroad employees are at risk of developing lung diseases such as mesothelioma or asbestosis.

Asbestos can be a deadly substance that is able to break into tiny, thin fibers that can be breathed into the lung. These fibers can cause serious lung tissue scarring that can cause a variety of serious respiratory illnesses like mesothelioma or asbestosis.

A man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in the last 30 years of service for the railroad, has filed a lawsuit against Illinois Central Railroad. The railroad claims to have knowingly allowed him to work in dangerous environments without providing proper protective equipment or warnings about possible hazards. He alleges that he inhaled creosote, diesel exhaust, powders, chemicals, dust and other particulates that affected his lungs.

The plaintiff claims that Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with adequate medical care, hospitalization therapy, and surgical care for his injuries and illnesses. According to his lawsuit, the railroad violated its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) duty to provide its employees with a safe working environment.

Diesel fumes

Diesel engine emissions can have a negative effect on the health of railroad workers. In certain cases they can cause lung diseases such as COPD. In the case of an machinist was exposed diesel exhaust while working the company did not provide the appropriate protective equipment. The worker suffered from COPD as a result and now utilizes oxygen tanks each day.

In the United Kingdom, where diesel engine exhaust is common in workplaces such as bus depots and garages, an article recently published by The Guardian reports that "UK legal claims grow over exposure to toxic diesel fumes." Diesel exhausts contain high levels of nitrogen oxides which can be harmful to human health. Nitrogen oxides can irritate the nose, eyes, and throat and cause short-term symptoms, such as coughing or Phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes may also cause chest pain and wheezing.

Other pollutants that can be found in rail yards are dust and chemicals, as well as creosote. These toxins can be breathed in and cause long-term issues like COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel engine exhaust as a definitive carcinogen. The agency also warns that there is evidence that exposure to diesel exhaust may increase the risk of bladder cancer in both men as well as women.

Smoking

A railroad worker filed an occupational illness claim recently, claiming that his long-term exposure to toxic chemicals caused him to develop COPD.  cancer lawsuit  says that the company he worked for did not provide him with the proper safety equipment, allowing him to inhale hundreds of chemicals every day.  cancer lawsuits  include diesel exhaust and fumes, silica, creosote, metal dusts, coal smoke, sulfur dioxide, benzene dioxins, chemical degreasers, and other airborne irritating substances.

These toxins can get deep into the lung tissue, where they cause damage, which eventually leads to chronic obstructive lung disease (also known as COPD). The chronic illness is characterized by shortness of breath and wheezing, coughing, and weight loss. In certain instances it may also trigger asthma.

Railroad employees who suffer from workplace-related respiratory ailments such as emphysema and other 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 a workplace that is reasonably safe.

Unfortunately, this isn't always the situation. Railroad companies are aware of the risks associated with their work, yet they do not take the necessary precautions to protect their workers. This is the reason why FELA was created to hold them accountable for. If you have a medical condition that is linked to your railroad career seek out a seasoned mesothelioma attorney who has dealt with FELA cases successfully.