Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and Mesothelioma
Because of their work, railroad workers can be exposed to various toxic substances. One of the most toxic substances is asbestos which was used to insulate and line older train cars.
Unfortunately, these toxic chemicals can wreck havoc on the lung health of railroad workers. Our FELA attorneys help victims of lung diseases caused by railroads hold corporations accountable for their wrongful actions.
Asbestos
While railroads have lost favor as a mode of transportation in recent decades as more people turn to cars, trains still play a significant role in the nation's transportation network. Railroad workers have been exposed to toxins for a long time, which can have a negative impact on their health. Specifically our Boston railroad worker asbestos exposure lawyers note that railway employees are usually at risk for developing lung diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Asbestos can be broken into tiny fibers that can be breathed into the lung. These fibers can cause severe lung tissue scarring, which can cause a variety of serious respiratory illnesses like mesothelioma or asbestosis.
A man diagnosed with mesothelioma in the last 30 years of service for the railroad, has filed a lawsuit against Illinois Central Railroad. He claims that the railroad allowed him to work in hazardous conditions without providing appropriate safety equipment or warnings of possible hazards. He alleges that he inhaled diesel exhaust, creosote, powders, chemicals, dust and other particulates that affected his lung.
The plaintiff claims that the Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with sufficient medical treatment, hospitalization, medical and therapeutic treatment for his injuries and illnesses. According to his lawsuit the railroad breached its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) obligation to provide employees with a safe and secure work environment.

Diesel fumes
Diesel engine emissions can have a negative impact on the health of railroad workers. In some cases these fumes could cause lung diseases such as COPD. In mesothelioma lawsuit that a machinist had to breathe in diesel exhaust while working, his employer did not provide the proper protective equipment. In Kidney cancer lawsuit , the man developed COPD and is now required to use oxygen tanks on a daily basis.
In the United Kingdom, where diesel engine exhaust is prevalent in workplaces like garages and bus depots, the latest article published by The Guardian reports that "UK legal claims are growing over exposure to the toxic diesel fumes." Diesel emissions contain high amounts of nitrogen oxides that can be harmful to human health. Nitrogen oxides can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat and cause short-term symptoms, such as coughing or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes can also cause chest tightness and wheezing.
In addition to the diesel fumes, other contaminants found in some rail yard environments include creosote, chemicals, dust and powders. These toxic substances can be inhaled and can cause long-term issues like COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classified exhausts from diesel engines as carcinogens. The agency warns that there are indications that exposure to diesel engine exhaust may increase the risk of bladder cancer for both females and males.
Smoking
A railroad conductor recently filed an occupational ill health claim, claiming that his exposure to toxic chemicals at work led him to develop COPD. He claims his employer failed to provide him with proper safety equipment, allowing him to breathe in hundreds of substances on a regular basis. These toxins include diesel exhaust and fumes, silica, creosote, coal smoke, metal dusts sulfur dioxide, benzene dioxins, chemical degreasers, and other airborne irritants.
The issue with these toxic substances is that they are able to penetrate deep into the lung tissue which can cause damage and eventually cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, also known as COPD. This chronic condition causes shortness of breath wheezing, constant coughing and weight loss. In certain instances it may also trigger asthma.
Railroad employees who suffer from workplace-related respiratory diseases such as emphysema are eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), 45 U.S.C. 51. This law requires railroad companies to provide their employees a place of work that is reasonably secure.
However Kidney cancer lawsuit 's not always the situation. Railroad corporations are well aware of the risks associated with their work However, they fail to protect workers. This is what FELA was created to ensure they are accountable for. If you've been diagnosed with an illness that is related to your railroad career, contact an experienced mesothelioma attorney who has handled successfully FELA cases.