Railroad Workers and Cancer
If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with cancer as a result of working as a railroad employee, you may be entitled to compensation. The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) provides for compensation if a railroad employer is negligent and causes cancer or a related injury.
Diesel exhaust fumes are a common cause of lung cancer in railway workers. This carcinogenic chemical can cause other types of cancers like bladder cancer, leukemia and pancreatic cancer.
Lung Cancer
A railroad worker's exposure to exhaust fumes from diesel engines can increase their risk of developing lung cancer. These fumes are made of diesel fuel, which has toxic compounds of more than a dozen carcinogenic chemicals. They also contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which can cause lung damage over time.
Many railroad workers are exposed fumes while working in the cabs of engine crews or in shop areas. The diesel fumes contain the principal components of diesel fuel, such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfur sulfide and nitrogen oxide, along with other minor components. These toxins can cause a number of serious health issues that include lung diseases, as well as heart attacks and cancers.
According to a study, conductors and railroad engineers were at a higher risk of lung cancer. This cancer typically occurs in the lungs and is typically fatal within a couple of years of the diagnosis.
There are two types of lung cancer: non-small cell lung carcinoma and small cell lung cancer. Both types of lung cancer can be treated with many treatment options. It's costly and difficult to treat lung cancer.
There is a possibility of a claim against your employer should you or a family member has contracted lung cancer from working in the railroad industry. Federal law gives railroad workers the right to file claims for medical damages in the event that their condition was caused by their work conditions or negligence.
A lawyer can review the working history and employment records of railroad employees to determine if their health was the result of their work. Lawyers can also talk with other experts who are skilled in investigating and prosecuting lawsuits related to railroads.
The railroad's use of asbestos and other carcinogenic compounds was recognized to put employees at a higher risk of cancer, including mesothelioma. Even after asbestos was banned in 1970, railroad companies still used asbestos and other substances comprised of asbestos, without informing their employees.
In the process, they developed mesothelioma, a deadly form of cancer that affects the lung's lining. It is also an indicator for other types of cancer.
There is a strong relationship between diesel exhaust exposure and lung cancer mortality. As a result, it is essential for railroad workers to undergo regular medical checkups , and ask their doctors to recommend lung cancer screening tests. These tests include chest xrays or low-dose CT scans.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of cancer that develops in blood-forming tissues. It affects a type of white blood cell referred to as lymphocytes. If left untreated it could cause death.
Railroad employees are at a greater risk of developing this type of cancer as a result of their exposure to chemicals in their workplace. Some of the most common chemical exposures include herbicides, pesticides, benzene, and diesel fuel.
Evidence is mounting to suggest that certain industrial chemicals could increase the risk of developing blood cancers like leukemia. The most frequent chemical exposure is the chemical benzene. This is a petroleum substance that is found in diesel and gasoline fuel.
Benzene is a clear, flammable liquid with a pleasant scent. It is also used in numerous solvents, lubricants and other products.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has listed that benzene is a carcinogen which means it has the potential to cause cancer. It is commonly found in diesel exhaust that railroad machinists, engineers, conductors, electricians and laborers are exposed to on a daily on a regular basis.
Creosote and coal tar are the other common chemicals that can trigger leukemia or blood cancers in railroad workers. Both of these chemicals are found on railroad bridges and structures as well as in the ties that train track department employees use to connect railroad tracks.
Pesticides and herbicides are the other chemicals that have been linked to blood cancers in railroad workers. Pesticides and herbicides can be used to kill pests and other unwanted plant life in railroad yards or in the right of way.
A few of the most well-known pesticides that are found in railroad yards and right of methods are fungicides and herbicides. These chemicals may increase the risk of developing a blood cancer, such as leukemia because the cells in your bone marrow produce abnormal blood cells that are unable to function properly.
Other industrial chemicals that may be a risk factor for blood cancers in railroad workers include asbestos lead and benzene. These chemicals can be extremely harmful and can lead to death if they are not treated.
Asbestos Cancer
Asbestos can cause many serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma and cancer of the lung. Cancer can take years to develop, and asbestos-related cancers can prove fatal. If you or someone you know has developed an asbestos-related illness, we can help.
Railroad workers were a major source of exposure to asbestos in the 20th century, especially in manufacturing and repairing rail products. Asbestos fibers were employed in the manufacture of these products by engineers, boilermakers metalcasters, and boilermakers.
Inhaling asbestos, it can attach to the lung's lining (pleura) as well as your stomach and intestines (peritoneum). The most commonly encountered types are peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma, the most severe form of asbestos-related cancer is the most common. It mostly affects the lungs but can be found in the abdominal lining, the heart or testicles.
The majority of doctors can detect mesothelioma through a physical examination and blood tests, but they may also conduct an imaging scan to check whether there are any abnormalities within the body. If they suspect that mesothelioma may be the reason for the patient's symptoms, they will then conduct an in-person biopsy to collect tissues or fluids to test.
A person who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma ought to contact an attorney who is familiar with FELA lawsuits to discuss their legal options. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help you obtain 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 occupation. They are 35 times more likely than those who were never exposed to asbestos.
They are also at higher risk of developing cardiopulmonary fibrosis as well as other conditions that can result in death due to heart failure or strokes. Over the past 50 years there have been a number of reports linking railroad workers to various diseases related to asbestos.
Numerous studies have revealed that asbestos exposure increases the risk of mesothelioma as well as lung cancer and other serious health issues. Moreover railroad workers who have used cigarettes are at a higher likelihood of developing lung cancer.
Other Cancers
Railroad workers are part of an business that moves goods every day from coal to automobiles. They also are exposed to various substances that can cause cancer. Asbestos and benzene are two among the most dangerous substances that can cause cancer among railroad workers.
The chemical Benzene is found in crude oil, gasoline, and other sources, can be found in the exhausts of trains and in degreasing solutions used by railroads for cleaning up their equipment. It is a highly harmful carcinogen that is taken up by the skin in contact with these chemicals.
This is why it's essential to prevent the gases of benzene from impacting your health by wearing safety glasses whenever you're working with diesel fumes and degreasing solvents. Employees working in buildings where there is a lot of diesel fumes are able to inhale the benzene. Cancer Lawsuits is also possible to inhale the fumes.
Creosote is the other cancer-causing substance railroad workers might be exposed to. This is a thick oily, smoky smelling liquid that is typically used to treat wood for the railroad industry. It's a known carcinogen and can also be inhaled by railroad workers who treat railroad ties with creosote.
Lung cancer is among the most common types of cancer that railroad workers suffer from. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has categorized diesel emissions from locomotives into category 1 (carcinogenic to humans).
It is estimated that 40% of the lung cancers diagnosed among American railroad workers are due to exposure to diesel. A study that lasted 38 years revealed that those who were exposed were more likely than those who weren't to develop lung cancer.
Despite all security precautions, there's still a risk of developing cancer due to working in the railway industry. It has been reported that people who are employed with modern diesel engines have a higher rate of lung cancer.
Those who developed cancer while working on the railways could be eligible to bring a lawsuit against the railroad and seek compensation for their injuries. It is crucial to speak with a qualified legal professional immediately you discover that you've been diagnosed with cancer related to your job.