Railroad Workers and Cancer If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer while working as a railroad employee, you may be entitled to compensation. The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) provides to compensate if a railroad employer is negligent and causes cancer or related injury. Lung cancer is a common manifestation among railway workers exposed to diesel exhaust fumes. The exposure to this carcinogenic substance can cause other types of cancers, like leukemia, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Lung Cancer Lung cancer may be accelerated by exposure of railroad workers to diesel exhaust fumes. The fumes are derived from diesel fuel, which has an extremely 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. Railroad workers are frequently exposed to diesel fumes from their work in the shop area or engine crew cab compartments. Diesel fumes contain the principal components of diesel fuel, including carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfur sulfide and nitrogen oxide, in addition to other minor components. These toxic substances can cause serious health issues, such as lung disease, heart attacks, and cancer. Cancer Lawsuit showed that railroad engineers and conductors were at a higher risk of lung cancer. The cancer is typically found in the lungs and is typically fatal within a few years after being diagnosed. There are two kinds of lung cancer that are non-small-cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. There are numerous treatment options for both. It is expensive and difficult to treat lung cancer. Cancer Lawsuits could have a case against your employer if you or someone in your family is suffering from lung cancer after working in the railroad industry. Federal law gives railroad employees the right to pursue claims for medical expenses when their condition is caused by their work environment or negligence. To determine if an employee's illness was related to their job the lawyer should review the history of work and employment documents. They can also talk to other professionals who are skilled in investigating and prosecuting lawsuits involving railroads. It was well-known that asbestos and other carcinogenic substances were employed by railroad companies that put their employees at a higher risk of developing mesothelioma. Even after asbestos was banned in 1970 railroad companies continued to use asbestos and other substances that were made of asbestos without informing their employees. They discovered mesothelioma. It is a fatal form of cancer that affects both lung lining and the lining. It could also be an early indicator for other forms of cancer. Lung cancer mortality is closely linked to exposure to diesel exhaust. Railroad workers should have regular medical checks and ask their doctors for recommendations on lung cancer screening procedures. These tests include chest xrays or low-dose CT scans. Leukemia Leukemia is a form of cancer that develops in the blood-forming tissues. It affects a kind of white blood cell called lymphocytes. If not treated it could cause death. Railroad employees are at a greater risk of developing this type of cancer because of their exposure to chemicals in the workplace. The most frequent chemical exposures are herbicides, pesticides, benzene and diesel fuel. Evidence is mounting that suggests certain industrial chemicals may increase the risk of developing blood cancers such as leukemia. The most frequent chemical exposure is benzene. It is a petroleum compound that is that is found in diesel or gasoline fuel. The Benzene liquid is a clear, flame-resistant liquid with a sweet odor. It is also a component in a variety of solvents and lubricants. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has designated benzene an agent of carcinogenesis. This means that it could cause cancer. It is typically found in diesel exhaust, which railroad machinists, engineers, conductors electricians, laborers and others are exposed to on a daily day basis. Other chemicals that could cause blood cancer in railroad workers include creosote or coal tar. These chemicals are found in railroad bridges and structures, as well as in the ties used by train track department employees to connect railroad tracks. Pesticides and herbicides are two other chemicals that have been linked to blood cancers in railroad workers. Herbicides and pesticides are used to kill pests as well as other unwanted plant life in a railroad yard or right of way. The most commonly used pesticides that are found in railroad yards and right-of-ways are herbicides and fungicides. These chemicals can increase the chance of developing a blood cancer such as leukemia by making the bone marrow produce abnormal blood cells that are unable to function normally. Asbestos, lead and even benzene are all industrial chemicals that can pose a risk for railroad workers. These toxins are all very toxic and can cause death if not treated. Asbestos Cancer Asbestos is a known cause of serious illnesses, such as mesothelioma as well as lung cancer. Cancer can take a long time to develop and certain asbestos-related cancers can be fatal. Union Pacific Lawsuit Settlements can assist if you or someone you know has suffered an asbestos-related disease. Railroad workers were a major source of asbestos exposure in the 20th century, particularly when they were involved in the making and repair of rail products. Engineers boilermakers, casters of metal and other workers with these products were exposed to asbestos fibers throughout the manufacturing process. Inhaling asbestos, it can bind to the lung's lining (pleura) or even your stomach and intestines (peritoneum). The two most common mesothelioma types are the mesothelioma of the pleura and peritoneal me. Mesothelioma, the most severe type 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 an examination of the body and blood tests, but they also perform an imaging scan to check whether there are any abnormalities in the body. If they think that mesothelioma may be the reason for a patient's symptoms the doctor will conduct an in-person biopsy to collect tissues or fluids to test. An attorney who is knowledgeable in FELA lawsuits should be contact by anyone who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can help you receive the compensation you deserve. Railway workers who have been exposed to asbestos for a significant amount of time are at greater risk of developing mesothelioma and other related illnesses than other workers in the same field. They are 35 times more likely to develop lung cancer than people who haven't ever worked with asbestos. They are also at a greater risk of developing cardiopulmonary fibrisis and other conditions that can lead to death from strokes or heart failure. Numerous reports have been reported connecting railroad workers to asbestos-related diseases over the last 50 years. Numerous studies have proven that asbestos exposure increases the risk of mesothelioma as well as lung cancer along with other serious issues. Railroad workers who have smoked cigarettes are also at greater risk of developing lung cancer. Other Cancers Railroad workers are part of an industry that transports goods every day from coal to automobiles and they're exposed various substances that could lead to cancer. Some of the most commonly used substances that can cause cancer in a railroad worker are asbestos and benzene. Benzene is a chemical that originates from crude oil, gasoline and other sources and it is found in the exhaust of trains and in degreasing solvents that are used by railroads to clean their equipment. It is a highly harmful carcinogen, and it can be absorbed by the skin when in contact with these chemicals. Wearing safety glasses when working with diesel fumes or degreasing solvents will help shield your eyes from the harmful effects of benzene. Employees working in buildings which are suffused with diesel fumes could inhale the benzene. It is also possible to inhale the fumes. Another substance that is potentially cancer-causing that railroad workers may be exposed to is creosote. Creosote is a thick oily, smoky-smelling and oily liquid used to treat wood for railroads. It's a recognized carcinogen and can also be inhaled by railroad workers who treat railroad ties with creosote. Lung cancer is among the most common forms of cancer that railroad workers suffer from. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has categorized diesel emissions from locomotives as category 1 (carcinogenic to humans). This diesel exhaust is the cause of 40 percent of lung cancers among railway workers. In a 38-year study, workers exposed to diesel exhaust were more likely to develop lung cancer than those who weren't. Despite all safety precautions, the railroad industry is at risk of contracting cancer. In fact, it's been reported that the risk of lung cancer has increased among those who work with modern diesel engines. Those who developed cancer while working on rails may be eligible to make a claim against the railroad and seek compensation for their injuries. It is vital to speak with a certified legal professional as soon as you realize that you've been diagnosed with cancer that is linked to your work.
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