Railroad Workers and Cancer
You may be qualified for compensation if or someone you know has been diagnosed with cancer while working as a railroad worker. The Federal Employers Liability (FELA) which provides compensation for railroad employers who are negligent and cause cancer or other related injuries, gives you the opportunity.
Lung cancer is a typical sign for railway workers exposed to diesel exhaust fumes. This carcinogenic chemical can cause other types of cancers such as bladder cancer, leukemia and pancreatic cancer.
Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is often accelerated by the exposure to exhaust fumes from diesel vehicles. The fumes are derived from diesel fuel, which is an extremely toxic mix of more than a dozen carcinogenic compounds. They also contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can damage the lungs in the course of time.
Many railroad employees are exposed to diesel fumes through their work in engine crew cab compartments or shop areas. The diesel fumes include the primary components of diesel fuel, such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide and nitrogen oxide, as well as other minor components. These toxins can trigger a variety of serious health issues such as lung disease, as well as heart attacks and cancers.
According to a study, conductors and engineers of railroads were at higher risk of lung cancer. The cancer is typically found in the lungs and is typically fatal within a few years of being diagnosed.
There are two kinds of lung cancer that are non-small-cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. There are various treatments for both. However, it is difficult and costly to treat lung cancer.
There is a possibility of a claim against your employer if you or a family member has been diagnosed with lung cancer while working in the railroad industry. Railroad workers have the right to claim medical damages under federal law when their condition is caused by their work environment or negligence.
A lawyer may review the employment records and work history of railroad employees to determine if their illness was caused by their job. He or she can also talk to other professionals who are adept at investigating and prosecuting lawsuits involving railroads.
It was well-known that asbestos and other carcinogenic chemicals were used by the railroad company which put workers at a higher risk of mesothelioma. Even after asbestos was banned in the year 1970 railroad companies continued to use asbestos and other substances made from asbestos, without providing their employees with a warning.
They were diagnosed with mesothelioma. This is a life-threatening form cancer that affects lung lining and the lining. It is also an early warning sign for other forms of cancer.
Lung cancer mortality is strongly linked to diesel exhaust exposure. Railroad workers should have regular medical check-ups and ask their doctors for recommendations regarding lung cancer screening procedures. The tests include chest xrays or low-dose CT scans.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a form of cancer that develops in blood-forming tissues. It affects a type of white blood cell called lymphocytes. If left untreated it could lead to death.
Railroad workers are at a higher risk of developing this type of cancer due to their work environments' exposure to chemicals. The most frequent chemical exposures include herbicides and pesticides, benzene, diesel fuel and benzene.
There is evidence mounting that suggests certain industrial chemicals could increase the risk of developing blood cancers such as leukemia. The most frequent of these chemical exposures is benzene which is a petroleum product that is present in diesel and gasoline fuel.
Benzene, a clear, and flammable liquid, with an odor that is sweet, is very common. It is also a component in a variety of solvents and lubricants.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) declares the chemical benzene as a carcinogen which means that it can cause cancer. It is commonly found in diesel exhaust, which railroad machinists, conductors, engineers, electricians and laborers are exposed to on a regular basis.
Creosote and coal tar are also commonly used chemicals that can cause leukemia-like blood cancers among railroad employees. These chemicals are commonly found in railway bridges and structures as well as in the railroad ties used by department employees to connect railroad tracks.
Pesticides and herbicides are two additional chemicals that have been linked with blood cancers among railroad workers. Pesticides and herbicides can be found in railroad yards and right-of-way in order to control pests and other undesirable plants.
Some of the most popular pesticides that are found in railroad yards and right of ways are fungicides and herbicides. These chemicals can increase the chance of developing a particular type of blood cancer like leukemia. They can cause abnormal blood cells to grow in your bone marrow, which could lead to a decrease in the ability to function normally.
Railroad Injury Settlement Amounts that could be a risk of blood cancers among railroad workers are asbestos lead, and benzene. These toxins are all extremely toxic and could cause death if they aren't treated.
Asbestos Cancer
Many serious diseases can be caused by asbestos. These include mesothelioma or lung cancer. Cancer can take a long time to develop and some asbestos-related cancers may be fatal. If you or someone you know has contracted an asbestos-related condition, we can help.
Railroad workers were a significant source for asbestos exposure in the 20th century. This was especially when they were involved in the manufacturing and repair of rail products. Engineers, boilermakers, metal casters and others who worked with these products were exposed to asbestos fibers throughout the manufacturing process.
If asbestos is inhaled, it may attach to the lining of your lungs (pleura), or your stomach and intestines (peritoneum). The most common types are peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma.
Mesothelioma, the most severe form of asbestos-related cancer, is the most common. It is most commonly found in the lungs, however it can also occur in the abdominal lining, heart or testicles.
The doctors are able to detect mesothelioma using a physical examination and blood tests, but they also conduct an imaging scan to see if any abnormalities are present within the body. If they believe mesothelioma is the cause of the symptoms of a patient then they'll perform a biopsy to collect the tissue or fluid to test.
An attorney who is familiar with FELA lawsuits should be contact by anyone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer will help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
Railway workers who have been exposed to asbestos for a prolonged time are more likely develop mesothelioma than other workers in the same profession. They are 35 times more likely than those who haven't been exposed to asbestos.
They are also at an increased risk of developing cardiopulmonary fibrosis and other conditions that could cause death due to heart failure or strokes. During the past 50 years there have been a number of reports linking railroad workers to various illnesses that are linked to asbestos.
Numerous studies have proven that asbestos exposure can increase the risk of mesothelioma and lung cancer along with other serious issues. Railroad workers who smoke cigarettes are also at greater risk of developing lung carcinoma.
Other cancers
Railroad workers are part of an enormous industry that moves goods every day from coal to vehicles and are exposed to various substances that could lead to cancer. Asbestos and benzene are two of the most hazardous substances that can cause cancer among railroad workers.
Benzene is a chemical which originates from crude oil, gasoline, and other sources. it is found in the exhaust of trains as well as in degreasing solvents used by railroads to clean up their equipment. It is absorbed through the skin and is a potentially carcinogen that could be harmful.
Wearing goggles while working with solvents that degrease or vaporize diesel can shield your eyes from the harmful effects of benzene. People who work in places that are filled with diesel fumes can 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 wood for railroads. It is a known carcinogen and can also be inhaled by railroad workers who treat railroad ties with creosote.
Lung cancer is the most frequent type of cancer found in railroad workers. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified diesel emissions from locomotives as group 1 (carcinogenic to humans).
It's estimated that 40% of lung cancers discovered in American railroad workers are due with this exposure to diesel. A 38-year study found that workers who were exposed to diesel were more likely than those who were not to develop lung cancer.
Despite all safety precautions, the railway industry has a high chance of getting cancer. It has been reported that those who work with modern diesel engines are at a higher risk of developing risk of developing lung cancer.
The people who contract cancer while working on rails could be able to make a claim against the railroad and seek compensation for their injuries. It is crucial to speak with a licensed legal professional immediately you discover that you've developed cancer related to your job.