Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and MesotheliomaBecause of the work they perform 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 hazardous substances can cause serious damage to the lung of railway workers. Our FELA attorneys assist those suffering from railroad-related lung diseases hold corporations accountable for their negligence.AsbestosTrains continue to play a crucial role in the country's transportation network, despite the fact that railroads have been losing popularity in recent decades because more people are choosing automobiles. Therefore, railroad workers have long been exposed to various toxic substances that could impact their health. Our Boston asbestos lawyers for railroad workers observe that railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases like asbestosis or mesothelioma.Asbestos can be broken into tiny fibers that can be inhaled into lungs. These fibers can cause serious scarring of the lung tissue, which can result in a variety of serious respiratory conditions such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.A man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma in the last 30 years of employment with the railroad and filed a lawsuit against Illinois Central Railroad. The railroad claims to have knowingly allowed him to work in hazardous environments without providing him with appropriate protective equipment or warnings about potential hazards. Scleroderma lawsuit claims he breathed creosote, diesel exhaust powders, chemicals, dust and other particles that impacted his lungs.This man claims that the Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with adequate medical care, hospitalization, therapy, and surgical care for his injuries and illnesses. According to Norfolk Southern Railway lawsuit violated its Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) obligation to provide its employees with a safe working environment.Diesel fumesThe diesel fumes that are produced by engines can affect a railroad worker's health. In some instances the fumes can lead to lung disease like COPD. In the case where a machinist was exposed to diesel exhaust during work the employer did not provide adequate protective equipment. In the end, the man developed COPD and has to utilize oxygen tanks on a regular basis.In the United Kingdom, where diesel engine exhaust is prevalent in workplaces like bus depots and garages, the latest article published by The Guardian reports that "UK legal claims grow over exposure at work to toxic diesel fumes." Diesel emissions contain high amounts of nitrogen oxides that can be harmful to human health. Nitrogen oxides can cause irritation of the nose, eyes, or throat and cause symptoms that last a few minutes, such as a cough or Phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes could cause chest tightness and wheezing.In addition to the diesel fumes, other contaminants found in certain rail yard environments include creosote, chemicals, dust and powders. These toxins can be inhaled and lead to long term issues such as COPD and lung cancer. Stomach cancer lawsuit for Research on Cancer classified diesel engine exhausts as carcinogens. The agency also warns that there is evidence that exposure to diesel exhaust may increase the risk of bladder cancer for both men as well as women.SmokingA railroad conductor recently filed an occupational disease claim alleging his long-term exposure to toxic chemicals at work led him to develop COPD. He says that his employer failed to provide him with proper safety equipment, allowing him to inhale 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 toxins can seep deep into the lung tissue, where they cause damage, which can eventually lead to chronic obstructive respiratory disease (also known as COPD). It is a chronic disease which causes breathlessness wheezing and coughing for a long time as well as weight loss and, in certain instances, asthma.The Federal Employers Liability Act, 45 U.S.C. offers compensation for railroad employees suffering from respiratory illnesses caused by their work. 51. This law requires railroads to offer their employees a reasonably safe place to work.However, this isn't always the reality. Railroad companies are aware of the risks associated with their work but they often fail to protect workers. FELA was created to hold railroad companies accountable for their blunders. If you have medical conditions that are related to your railroad experience, seek out a seasoned mesothelioma attorney who has successfully handled FELA cases successfully.