Railroad Workers and Cancer
You could be qualified for compensation if or someone else you love have been diagnosed with cancer while working as a railroad employee. The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) provides for compensation when railroad employers are negligent and causes cancer or related injury.
Diesel exhaust fumes are a common cause of lung cancer among railway workers. The carcinogenic substances can cause various types of cancers like bladder cancer, leukemia , and pancreatic cancer.
Lung Cancer
The exposure of railroad workers to diesel exhaust fumes may increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer. These fumes are made up of diesel fuel, which contains a toxic mixture of more than a dozen carcinogenic chemicals. They also contain aroma hydrocarbons with polycyclic chemistry that can cause lung damage over time.
Many railroad employees are exposed fumes when they work in the cabs of the engine crew or shop areas. Diesel fumes comprise of the principal components of diesel fuel: carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfur. There are also other minor components. These poisons can lead to serious health problems , including lung disease, heart attacks, and cancer.
According to a study, railroad engineers and conductors were at greater risk of lung cancer. The majority of lung cancers occur in the lungs and is typically fatal within a few years after diagnosis.
Lung cancer is present in two forms which are small cell lung cancer as well as non-small cell lung cancer. Both types of lung cancer can be treated with a variety of treatments. It's costly and difficult to treat lung cancer.
If you or someone close to you has developed lung cancer after working in the railroad industry, you could have an action legal against your employer. Railroad workers are entitled to claim medical compensation under federal law in the event of their condition being due to their work conditions or negligence.
A lawyer can review the employment records and work history of railroad workers to determine if their health was the result of their work. A lawyer may also speak with other experts who are proficient in investigating and prosecuting lawsuits related to railroads.
The railroad's use asbestos and its other carcinogenic compounds was recognized to put its employees at chance of developing cancer, such as mesothelioma. Even after asbestos was banned in 1970, railroad companies still used asbestos and other substances made from asbestos, without informing their employees.
They have developed mesothelioma. It is a fatal form of cancer that affects lung lining and the lining. It could also be an indicator of other types of cancer.
Lung cancer mortality is strongly connected to diesel exhaust exposure. Railroad workers should have regular medical check-ups and ask their doctors for recommendations regarding screening procedures for lung cancer. The tests include chest xrays or low-dose CT scans.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of cancer that occurs in blood-forming tissues. It affects a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. It can be fatal if untreated.
Railroad workers are at greater chance of developing this type of cancer due to the exposure of their workplaces to chemicals. Some of the most common chemicals that are a source of exposure include herbicides pesticides, benzene and diesel fuel.
There is an increasing body of evidence that shows that certain industrial chemicals increase the risk of acquiring leukemia, a type of blood cancer. The most common chemical exposure is benzene. It is a petroleum compound that is that is found in diesel or gasoline fuel.
Benzene is a clear, flammable liquid with a sweet scent. It is also an ingredient in many solvents and lubricants.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) declares benzene as a carcinogen, meaning it can cause cancer. It is usually found in diesel exhaust, which railroad machinists, conductors, engineers as well as electricians and laborers are exposed to on a regular basis.
Creosote and coal tar are the other common chemicals that can trigger a blood cancer like leukemia among railroad workers. Both of these chemicals can be found on railroad bridges and structures as well as in the railroad ties that employees use to link railroad tracks.
Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements and herbicides are the other chemicals that have been linked to blood cancers among railroad workers. Pesticides and herbicides are used in railroad yards as well as right-of-way to keep pests out and to control other unwanted plant life.
Some of the most popular pesticides that are found in railroad yards and right of methods are fungicides and herbicides. These chemicals can increase the chance of a blood cancer like leukemia, by making the cells in your bone marrow produce abnormal blood cells which are unable to function properly.
Other industrial chemicals that may be a risk cause for blood cancers in railroad workers are asbestos, lead and benzene. All of these chemicals can be extremely toxic and could be fatal if not treated.
Asbestos Cancer
Many serious diseases can be caused by asbestos, such as mesothelioma, or lung cancer. It can take many years for cancer to develop and some asbestos-related cancer can be fatal. We can assist you if or someone you know has suffered from an asbestos-related disease.
Railroad workers were a significant source for asbestos exposure in the 20th century, particularly when they were involved in the production and repair of rail equipment. Engineers boilermakers, metal casters, and other people working with these products were exposed to asbestos fibers during the production process.
If asbestos is inhaled, it may attach to the lining of your lungs (pleura) as well as your stomach and the intestines (peritoneum). The two most commonly used types of mesothelioma are pleural mesothelioma and peritoneal mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma is the most serious form of asbestos-related cancer, is the most prevalent. It is most commonly found in the lungs, but can also affect the abdominal lining as well as testicles.
The doctors are able to detect mesothelioma through an examination of the body and blood tests, however they also perform an imaging scan to determine whether any abnormalities are evident in the body. If they believe mesothelioma could be the cause of the patient's symptoms then they'll perform an in-person biopsy to collect tissue or fluid for testing.
Anyone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma ought to consult an attorney experienced with FELA lawsuits to discuss their legal options. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can assist you in obtaining the compensation you're entitled to.
Railway workers who were exposed to asbestos for a long amount of time are at a higher chance of developing mesothelioma and other related diseases than other workers in the same profession. They are 35 times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who haven't ever worked with asbestos.
They are also at a greater risk of developing cardiopulmonary fibrosis as well as other conditions that can lead to death from heart failure or strokes. Numerous studies have been reported linking railroad workers to asbestos-related illnesses over the past 50 years.
Numerous studies have revealed that exposure to asbestos increases the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer, as well as other serious health problems. Railroad workers who have smoked cigarettes are also at greater risk of developing lung carcinoma.
Other Cancers
Railroad workers are involved in an industry that transports goods every day from coal to vehicles and they're exposed various substances that could cause cancer. Asbestos and benzene are among the most dangerous substances that can cause cancer among railroad workers.
Benzene is a chemical which is derived from crude oil, gasoline, and other sources. it is found in the exhaust of trains and in degreasing solvents that are used by railroads to clean up their equipment. It is a highly harmful carcinogen, and it can be taken in by the skin when it comes into contact with these chemicals.
Wearing goggles when working with diesel fumes or solvents for degreasing can help protect your eyes from the harmful effects of benzene. People who work in places where there is a lot of diesel fumes may inhale benzene. It is also possible to breathe the fumes.
Creosote is yet another cancer-causing substance that railroad workers may be exposed to. Creosote is a thick smelly, oily liquid that is used to treat railroad wood. It's a well-known carcinogen, and is also inhaled by railroad workers who treat railroad ties with creosote.
Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer that is found among railroad workers. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified diesel emissions from locomotives as group 1 (carcinogenic to humans).
It is estimated that 40% of the lung cancers discovered in American railroad workers are related with this exposure to diesel. A study of 38 years' duration found that those who were exposed were more likely than those who weren't to develop lung cancer.
Despite all security measures, there is still a significant risk of developing cancer due to working in the railway industry. It has been reported that those who are employed with modern diesel engines have a higher incidence of lung cancer.
Anyone who has developed cancer while working on the rails may be eligible to sue the railroad and seek compensation for their injuries. It is essential to speak to a licensed lawyer immediately you become aware that you've been diagnosed with cancer.