If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with cancer following working as a railroad employee could be entitled to compensation. The Federal Employers Liability (FELA), Railroad Workers And Cancer which allows compensation for railroad employers who are negligent and cause cancer, or related injuries, provides this opportunity.
Diesel exhaust fumes are the most common cause of lung cancer among railway workers. Exposure to this carcinogenic chemical can also cause other types of cancers including leukemia, bladder cancer as well as esophageal cancer and pancreatic cancer.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer may be accelerated due to the exposure to diesel exhaust fumes. These fumes are produced by diesel fuel, which is the toxic mix of more than a dozen carcinogenic compounds. They also contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can damage the lungs over time.
Many railroad employees are exposed to diesel fumes through their work in the cabs of the engine crew or in shop areas. The diesel fumes include the major components of diesel fuel, which include carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfur sulfide and nitrogen oxide, in addition to other minor components. These toxins can trigger a variety of serious health problems that include lung diseases, as well as cancer and heart attacks.
A study found that engineers and railroad conductors were at greater risk for lung cancer. This kind of cancer is usually found in the lungs. It can be fatal within a couple of months.
Lung cancer is present in two forms which are small cell lung cancer as well as non-small cell lung cancer. There are a variety of treatments for both. However, it’s challenging and expensive to treat a lung cancer.
If you or someone close to you has developed lung cancer following working in the railroad industry, you may have a legal claim against your employer. Federal law gives railroad employees the right to pursue claims for medical expenses if their condition was caused by their workplace conditions or negligence.
A lawyer can look over the working history and employment records of railroad workers to determine whether their illness was due to their work. Lawyers can also consult with other experts who are adept at investigating and prosecuting railroad-related lawsuits.
It was well-known that asbestos and other carcinogenic substances were utilized by railroad companies which put workers at risk of mesothelioma. Even after asbestos was banned in the year 1970, railroad companies still used asbestos and other substances comprised of asbestos, without informing their employees.
They were diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is a lethal form of cancer that affects both the lining and lungs. It is also an early indicator for other kinds of cancer.
Lung cancer mortality is closely linked to diesel exhaust exposure. Railroad workers should have regular medical examinations and ask their physicians for advice regarding lung cancer screening procedures. These tests include chest radiographs and low-dose CT scans.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a form of cancer that occurs in blood-forming tissues. It affects a specific type of white blood cells, called lymphocytes. If not treated it can cause death.
Railroad workers are at an increased chance of developing this kind of cancer as a result of their exposure to chemicals at the workplace. Some of the most common chemical exposures are herbicides, pesticides, benzene and diesel fuel.
There is an increasing body of evidence that shows that certain industrial chemicals can increase the risk of developing leukemia, a blood cancer. The most frequently used chemical is benzene. This is a petroleum-based product that can be found in gasoline or diesel fuel.
Benzene is a clear flammable liquid with a pleasant scent. It is also a component in a variety of solvents and lubricants.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has declared benzene carcinogen. This means that it could cause cancer. It is typically found in diesel exhaust which railroad machinists conductors, engineers as well as electricians and laborers are exposed to on a daily basis.
Other chemicals that could cause blood cancer in railroad workers include creosote as well as coal tar. Both of these chemicals are found on bridges and structures on railroads as well as on the railroad track department’s ties. employees use to link railroad tracks together.
Other exposures to chemicals that have been associated with blood cancers among railroad workers are pesticides and herbicides. Pesticides and herbicides can be found in railroad yards as well as right-of-way to manage pests and other unwanted plants.
The most commonly used pesticides that are found in railroad yards or right-of-ways are herbicides and fungicides. These chemicals can increase the risk to develop a form of blood cancer such as leukemia. They can cause abnormal blood cells to grow in your bone marrow which could lead to less capacity for the cells to function normally.
Other industrial chemicals that could be a risk factor Railroad Workers and Cancer for blood cancers in railroad workers are asbestos lead, and benzene. These toxins can be extremely toxic and could cause death if not treated.
Asbestos Cancer
Many serious illnesses can be caused by asbestos, for example, mesothelioma, or lung cancer. It can take some time for cancer to develop and some types of asbestos-related cancers may be fatal. If you or someone you know has suffered from an asbestos-related condition and you want to help, we can assist.
Railroad workers were the main source of exposure to asbestos in the 20th century, mainly in the manufacturing and repairing rail products. Asbestos fibers were employed in the manufacturing of these products by engineers, boilermakers, metalcasters, and others.
Inhaling asbestos can cause damage to the lining (pleura) or stomach and the intestines. The most prevalent forms are peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is the most serious kind of cancer that is associated with asbestos. It mainly affects the lungs but can be found in the abdominal lining, the heart or testicles.
A physical examination and blood tests are sufficient to identify mesothelioma. However doctors also conduct an imaging scan to look for any anomalies in the body. If they believe that mesothelioma may be the reason for the patient’s symptoms, they’ll conduct a biopsy to gather the fluid or tissue to test.
A person who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma ought to consult an attorney well-versed in FELA lawsuits to discuss their legal options. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer will assist you in receiving the compensation you deserve.
Railway workers who have been exposed to asbestos for a long period of time are more prone to develop mesothelioma than other workers in the same profession. They are 35 times more likely than those who have never been exposed to asbestos.
They also have the risk of developing cardiopulmonary fibrosis as well as other conditions that can cause death from heart failure or strokes. Many reports have been made linking railroad workers with asbestos-related diseases over the last 50 years.
Numerous studies have demonstrated that asbestos exposure can increase the risk of mesothelioma as well as lung cancer along with other serious issues. In addition railroad workers who have used cigarettes are at a greater risk likelihood of developing lung cancer.
Other cancers
Railroad workers are involved in the transportation of goods every day from coal to automobiles and are exposed to various substances that could cause cancer. Asbestos and benzene are two of the most dangerous substances that can cause cancer among railroad workers.
The chemical Benzene originates from crude oil, gasoline and other sources and it is found in the exhaust of trains and in degreasing solvents used by railroads to clean up their equipment. It can be absorbed by the skin and is a potentially carcinogen that can be dangerous.
Wearing goggles while working with solvents that degrease or vaporize diesel can shield your eyes from the harmful effects of benzene. Benzene can also be ingested by those working in a place that is filled with diesel fumes so it’s important to remember to keep your mouth shut and not breathe into the air around you.
Creosote is the other cancer-causing chemical that railroad workers could be exposed to. It’s a heavy, oily, smoky-smelling liquid that is typically used to treat wood for use in the railroad industry. Railroad workers who treat Railroad Workers Cancer ties using creosote can inhale it. It is a well-known carcinogen.
Lung cancer is the most frequent form of cancer for railroad workers. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified diesel emissions from locomotives into group 1 (carcinogenic for humans).
Diesel exhaust is the cause of 40% of lung cancers in railway workers. In a study that lasted 38 years, workers who were exposed to diesel exhaust were more likely to develop lung cancer than those who were not.
Despite all safety precautions, the railway industry is at risk of developing cancer. It has been reported that those who work with modern diesel engines have a greater rate of lung cancer.
Anyone who has developed cancer while working on the rails could be able to sue the railroad and seek compensation for their injuries. It is crucial to speak with a certified legal professional when you discover that you’ve developed cancer that is related to your job.