Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and MesotheliomaBecause of the work they perform, railroad workers can be exposed to numerous harmful toxins. One of the most toxic substances is asbestos that was used to line and insulate older train cars.Unfortunately, these toxic substances can cause serious damage to the lungs of railway workers. Our FELA attorneys assist those suffering from lung diseases that are caused by railroads hold companies accountable for their negligence.AsbestosTrains continue to play a crucial role in the nation’s freight network, despite the fact that railroads have been losing popularity in recent decades due to more people choosing cars. Railroad workers have been exposed to toxic substances for a lengthy period of time which can adversely affect their health. Specifically the lawyers at our Boston railroad worker asbestos exposure lawyers highlight that railway workers have often been at risk of developing lung diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis.Asbestos can be a deadly substance that is able to break into microscopically thin fibers which can be breathed into the lung. These fibers can cause serious scarring of lung tissue, which could result in a variety of serious respiratory conditions such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.A man who was diagnosed with mesothelioma, after thirty years of working for the railroad has filed a suit against Illinois Central Railroad. He claims that the railroad allowed workers to work in dangerous conditions, without providing him with protective equipment or warnings of potential hazards. He claims that he breathed creosote, diesel exhaust powders, chemicals, dust and other particulates that impacted his lungs.Additionally, the plaintiff claims the Illinois Central Railroad failed to provide him with the proper medical surgery, hospital, and therapeutic treatment for his injuries and illnesses. According to the lawsuit, the railroad violated their Federal Employers Liability Act duty to provide a safe work environment for their employees. bnsf lawsuit fumesThe fumes generated by diesel engines can have a negative impact on the health of railroad workers. In some cases these fumes could cause lung diseases like COPD. In the case of a machine operator who was exposed diesel exhaust at work his employer did not provide adequate protective equipment. The man was diagnosed with COPD because of this and now utilizes oxygen tanks each day.In the United Kingdom, where diesel engine exhaust is prevalent in workplaces such as garages and bus depots a recent article by The Guardian reports that "UK legal claims grow over exposure at work to the toxic diesel fumes." Diesel emissions contain high levels of nitrogen oxides, which can be harmful to humans. Nitrogen oxides can irritate the eyes, nose or throat and cause temporary symptoms like a cough or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes can cause chest tightness and wheezing.In addition to the diesel fumes and other pollutants, others that can be found in the rail yard include chemicals, creosote, dust and powders. These toxins can be inhaled and can cause long-term issues such as COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel engine exhaust as a definite carcinogen. The agency warns that exposure to diesel engine exhaust could increase the risk of bladder cancer in both women and men.SmokingA railroad conductor recently filed an occupational illness claim alleging his long-term exposure to toxic chemicals at work led him to develop COPD. The claimant claims that his employer neglected to provide him with adequate safety equipment, allowing him to breathe in hundreds of substances on a regular basis. These toxic substances include diesel exhaust and fumes silica, creosote, coal smoke, metal dusts sulfur dioxide, benzene dioxins, chemical degreasers and other airborne irritants.The problem with these toxins is that they are capable of piercing deep into the lung tissue, which can cause damage and eventually cause chronic obstructive lung disease which is also known as COPD. The chronic illness is characterized by shortness of breath wheezing, chronic coughing and weight loss. In certain instances, it can also cause asthma.Railroad employees who suffer from work-related emphysema or other respiratory illnesses may be eligible for compensation under Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) 45 U.S.C. 51. This law requires railroad companies to offer their employees an adequately safe environment to work.However, this isn't always the situation. Railroad companies are aware of the risks that are inherent to their work, but they often fail to protect workers. FELA was established to hold railroad companies accountable for their blunders. If you suffer from a medical condition that is linked to your railroad career consult a mesothelioma lawyer who has successfully handled FELA cases successfully.