Railroad Lawsuit - Exposure to Toxins Causes Emphysema and MesotheliomaAs a result of their work, railroad workers can be exposed to a variety of toxic substances. 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 lungs of railway workers. Leukemia lawsuit aid victims of lung diseases caused by railroads hold corporations accountable for their actions. railroad cancer lawsuit play a significant part in the country's freight network, even though railroads have been losing popularity in recent decades because more people are choosing automobiles. As such, railroad workers have long been exposed to various toxic substances that could affect their health. Our Boston asbestos lawyers for railroad workers recognize that railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases such as asbestosis or mesothelioma.Asbestos can be broken into tiny fibers that can be breathed into the lungs. These fibers can cause serious lung tissue scarring that can cause a variety of serious respiratory illnesses, such as mesothelioma and asbestosis.For Pancreatic cancer lawsuit diagnosed with mesothelioma after working on the railroad for more than 30 years has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit. He claims that the railroad allowed him to work in dangerous environments, but did not provide him with protective equipment or warnings regarding potential hazards. He claims he breathed in diesel fumes or chemicals, dust or powders, in addition to other particles that affected his lungs.The plaintiff claims that the Illinois Central Railroad did not provide him with adequate medical care, hospitalization, therapeutic and surgical treatment for his injuries and illnesses. According to the lawsuit, the railroad violated their Federal Employers Liability Act duty to provide a safe working environment for its employees.Diesel fumesThe diesel fumes that are produced by engines can be harmful to a railroad worker's health. In certain cases the fumes can cause lung diseases such as COPD. In the case of a worker who was exposed to diesel exhaust while at work the employer did not provide the appropriate protection equipment. The worker developed COPD as a result 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 increase due to exposure at work to the toxic diesel fumes." Diesel exhausts contain high levels of nitrogen oxides, which can be harmful to humans. Nitrogen oxides may cause irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. They can also trigger short-term discomforts such as a cough or phlegm. Inhaling diesel fumes could cause chest tightness and wheezing.In addition to the diesel fumes and other pollutants, others that can be found in certain rail yard environments include chemicals, creosote, dust and powders. These toxins are breathed in, and could cause long-term problems such as COPD or 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 women and men.SmokingA railroad conductor has filed an occupational health claim recently, claiming that his long-term exposure to toxic chemicals led him to develop COPD. The claimant claims that his employer did not provide him with proper safety equipment, which allowed him to breathe in hundreds of substances on a regular basis. These contaminants include diesel fumes and exhaust, silica dust creosote, and metal dusts found in coal smoke, sulfur dioxide and benzene as also chemical degreasers, and dioxins.These toxins can penetrate deep into lung tissue and cause damage that can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (also known as COPD). This chronic condition causes shortness of breath and wheezing, coughing, and weight loss. In certain instances, it can also cause asthma.The Federal Employers Liability Act, 45 U.S.C. offers compensation to railroad workers who suffer from emphysema and other respiratory ailments caused by their work. 51. This law requires railroads to provide their employees with an adequately safe environment to work.However, this isn't always the situation. Railroad companies are aware of the risks associated with their work, yet they don't take precautions to protect their workers. This negligence is what FELA was created to make them accountable for. If you have an illness related to your railroad experience, seek out a seasoned mesothelioma attorney who has handled FELA cases successfully.