Railroad Workers and Cancer If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with cancer after working as a railroad employee, you may be entitled to compensation. The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows for compensation if railroad employers are negligent and causes cancer or related injury. Lung cancer is a common condition among railway workers exposed to diesel exhaust fumes. This carcinogenic substance can also cause different types of cancers, like leukemia, bladder cancer and pancreatic cancer. Lung Cancer A railroad worker's exposure to exhaust fumes from diesel engines can increase their likelihood of developing lung cancer. These fumes originate from diesel fuel, which is the toxic mix of more than a dozen carcinogenic substances. They also contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that can cause lung damage in the course of time. Many railroad employees are exposed fumes when they work in the cabs of the engine crew or in shop areas. Diesel fumes comprise of the main components of diesel fuel which are carbon monoxide and sulfide. There are also minor components. These toxins can cause a number of serious health issues that include lung diseases, as well as cancer and heart attacks. A study showed that engineers and railroad conductors were at higher risk of lung cancer. This type of cancer is typically discovered in the lungs. It can be fatal within a few months. Lung cancer is present in two forms: small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Both kinds of lung cancer can be treated using a variety of treatment options. However, it can be difficult and expensive to treat a lung cancer. If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with lung cancer as a result of working in the railroad industry, you could have a legal claim against your employer. Railroad workers are entitled to claim medical benefits under federal law in the event of their condition being caused by their work environment or negligence. To determine if Cancer Lawsuits was caused by their job, a lawyer will review the history of work and employment documents. They can also talk to other professionals who are experienced in investigating and prosecuting railroad-related lawsuits. The railroad's use of asbestos and other carcinogenic compounds was recognized to put employees at a higher risk of cancer, including mesothelioma. Railroad companies continued to use asbestos and other asbestos-containing products even after it was banned in the year 1970. They were diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is a deadly type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs as well as the lining. It could also be an early warning sign for other forms of cancer. There is a strong link between exposure to diesel exhaust and the rate of death from lung cancer. Railroad workers should have regular medical examinations and ask their physicians for advice on lung cancer screening procedures. These tests include chest radiographs, as well as low-dose CT scans. Leukemia Leukemia is a type of cancer that develops in blood-forming tissues. It affects a particular type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. It is potentially fatal if it is not treated. Railroad workers are at an increased chance of developing this kind of cancer because of their exposure to chemicals at the workplace. The most frequent chemical exposures include herbicides, pesticides, benzene and diesel fuel. There is a growing body of evidence that indicates that certain industrial chemicals can increase the risk of acquiring leukemia, a type of blood cancer. One of the most commonly used chemical exposures is benzene which is a petroleum derivative that can be found in gasoline and diesel fuel. Benzene is a transparent, flammable liquid with a pleasant smell. It is also a component in a variety of solvents and lubricants. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) declares benzene as a carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer. It is found in diesel exhaust which railroad engineers and machinists, electricians, conductors and laborers are regularly exposed. Other chemicals that could cause blood cancer in railroad workers include creosote and coal tar. Both of these chemicals are found on railway bridges and structures as well as in the railroad track department's ties. employees use to link railroad tracks together. Other chemical exposures that have been linked to blood cancers in railroad workers are pesticides and herbicides. Pesticides and herbicides are commonly used in railroad yards and right-of-way to combat pests and other unwanted plant life. Some of the most popular pesticides found in railroad yards and in a variety of ways are herbicides and fungicides. These chemicals can increase the danger of developing a blood cancer such as leukemia by causing the bone marrow produce abnormal blood cells that can't function properly. Lead, asbestos and even benzene are all industrial chemicals that could pose a risk for railroad workers. Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts of these chemicals can be extremely toxic and be fatal if left untreated. Asbestos Cancer Asbestos is a known cause of serious diseases, including mesothelioma and cancer of the lung. Cancer can take years to develop, and asbestos-related cancers can prove fatal. We can help if you or someone you know has suffered from an asbestos-related disease. Railroad workers were the main source for asbestos exposure in the 20th century, particularly when they were involved in the manufacture and repair of rail products. Asbestos fibers were used in the production of these products by boilermakers, engineers metalcasters, and boilermakers. When asbestos is inhaled, it could attach to the lung's lining (pleura) or even your stomach and your intestines (peritoneum). The two most commonly used mesothelioma types are the mesothelioma pleural and peritoneal. Mesothelioma is the most severe type of cancer linked to asbestos. It is most commonly found in the lungs, however it can be found in the abdominal lining, heart or testicles. A physical exam and blood tests are enough to identify mesothelioma. However doctors may also conduct an imaging scan to look for any signs of abnormalities in the body. If they think that mesothelioma may be the reason for symptoms in a patient, they will then conduct a biopsy to take tissues or fluids to test. An attorney who is knowledgeable with FELA lawsuits should be sought out by anyone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. An experienced mesothelioma lawyer can help you receive the compensation you deserve. Railway workers who have been exposed to asbestos for a long time are more likely develop mesothelioma, compared to other employees in the same profession. They are 35 times more likely to develop mesothelioma than those who were never exposed to asbestos. They are also more likely to develop cardiopulmonary fibrosis, as well as other conditions that can lead to death, including strokes or heart failure. Numerous reports have been reported connecting railroad workers to asbestos-related diseases over the last 50 years. Numerous studies have revealed that asbestos exposure increases the risk of lung cancer and mesothelioma, as well as other serious health problems. Railroad workers who have smoked cigarettes are also at higher risk of developing lung cancer. Other Cancers Railroad workers are part of a large business that moves goods every day, from coal to cars. They're also exposed to various substances that could cause cancer. Asbestos and benzene are among the most hazardous substances that can cause cancer in railroad workers. Benzene is a chemical which originates from crude oil, gasoline and other sources and it is found in the exhaust of trains and in the solvents used to degrease railroads to clean up their equipment. It is absorbed through the skin and could be a carcinogen that could be harmful. In the end, it's important to keep the fumes of benzene from harming your health by wearing a pair of goggles when you work with diesel fumes or degreasing solvents. It is also possible to be inhaled by those working in an area filled with diesel fumes so it's important to remember to keep your mouth shut and not to breathe into the air around you. Another substance that could cause cancer railroad workers could be exposed to is creosote. Creosote is a hefty oily, smoky liquid used to treat wood for railroads. It's a recognized carcinogen, and is also inhaled by railroad workers who treat railroad ties with creosote. Lung cancer is among the most common forms of cancer that railroad workers get. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified diesel emissions from locomotives into category 1 (carcinogenic to humans). This diesel exhaust is the cause of 40 percent of lung cancers among railroad 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 railroad industry has a high risk of getting cancer. It has been discovered that people who are employed with modern diesel engines have a greater rate of lung cancer. The people who contract cancer while working on rails may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the railroad and seek compensation for their injuries. It is crucial to speak with a qualified legal professional when you discover that you've developed cancer related to your job.
Railroad Workers|Cancer Lawsuits|Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts
