Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and MesotheliomaBecause of the work they do, railroad workers can be exposed to a variety of toxic substances. Asbestos which was used in older train cars to line them and insulate them, is one of these harmful substance.Unfortunately, these harmful substances can cause serious damage to the lung of railway workers. Our FELA lawyers help those suffering from lung diseases caused by railroads hold corporations accountable for their wrongful actions.AsbestosTrains continue to play a crucial role in the nation’s freight network, even though railroads have waned in popularity in recent years due to the increasing use of automobiles. Therefore, railroad workers have been exposed for a long time to a myriad of toxic substances that can impact their health. Particularly our Boston asbestos exposure lawyer for railroad workers lawyers point out that railroad workers are often at risk for developing lung diseases, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.Asbestos is a hazardous substance that can break down into microscopically thin fibers which can be breathed into the lungs. These fibers can cause serious scarring of lung tissue, which could lead to a number of serious respiratory conditions such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, and lung cancer.For instance, a man diagnosed with mesothelioma following a career on the railroad for over 30 years has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit. The railroad allowed him to work in dangerous environments, but not providing him with protective equipment or warnings about potential dangers. railroad cancer lawsuit claims that he inhaled diesel fumes, chemicals, dust and powders, in addition to other particulates that impacted his lungs.The plaintiff claims that the Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with adequate medical care, hospitalization surgical, 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 fumesDiesel engine fumes can have a negative impact on the health of railroad workers. In certain instances, these fumes can lead to lung disease like COPD. In the case of one worker who was exposed diesel exhaust during work, his employer failed to provide proper protective equipment. As Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma lawsuit , the man was diagnosed with COPD and has to use oxygen tanks on a daily basis.The Guardian reported in a recent article that in the United Kingdom, where diesel exhaust is typically found in places of work like bus depots and garages, there are "growing legal claims" regarding exposure to toxic diesel fumes. Bladder cancer lawsuit contain high levels nitrogen oxides, which can be harmful to those who breathe it. Nitrogen oxides can irritate the nose, eyes or throat and cause short-term symptoms such as a cough or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes can also cause chest tightness and wheezing.Other contaminants that are found in rail yards include dust chemical, creosote, and dust. These toxins can be inhaled and cause long-term problems such as COPD and lung cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified diesel engine exhaust as a definitive carcinogen. The agency warns that there are indications that exposure to diesel engine exhaust can increase the risk of bladder cancer for both females and males.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 claims that his employer failed to provide him with proper safety equipment, which allowed him to breathe in hundreds of compounds each day. These toxins include diesel fumes and exhaust, silica dust, creosote and metal dusts that are found in coal smoke, sulfur dioxide and benzene as along with chemical degreasers and dioxins.These toxins can penetrate deep into lung tissue where they cause damage, which eventually leads to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also known as COPD). It is a chronic disease that causes shortness of breath wheezing and coughing that is persistent weight loss, and in some cases asthma.The Federal Employers Liability Act, 45 U.S.C. provides compensation to railroad workers who suffer from emphysema and other respiratory illnesses caused by their work. 51. Pancreatic cancer lawsuit requires railroad companies to offer their employees an adequate and safe place to work.However it's not always the case. Railroad companies are aware of the risks that come with their job, but they often fail to safeguard their workers. This is the reason why FELA was created to hold them accountable for. If you've suffered from a medical condition that was caused by your railroad experience, get in touch with an experienced mesothelioma lawyer that has successfully handled FELA cases.