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Railroad Workers and Lung Diseases

Engineers and conductors on trains can get cancer from the bad air at work. As a train crew worker, you may have been exposed to diesel fumes in the air that can damage your lungs without you even knowing it. If you are suffering from lung disease after having worked in rail transportation in Virginia, you may be entitled to compensation.

Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers represents railroad employees and others who have suffered illnesses and injuries due to unsafe conditions in rail yards and on railroads. If your illness is connected to your work on a locomotive cab, our firm can help you with your legal options for recovery.

Asbestos in Trains Leading to Cancer

Asbestos, a fibrous material commonly used as insulation and for other purposes, was found to produce severe scarring of lung tissue. It also has been strongly linked to other lung diseases, including cancer and mesothelioma. Although there has been a considerable effort to remove asbestos from residences and buildings since the 1970s, it continues to pose a threat to rail workers, because it was commonly used in brake shoes and to line other parts of a train car. Workers who helped remove asbestos from trains in the 1980s may have only recently developed symptoms due to their exposure more than 30 years ago. Many railroad workers know that the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) protects them if they have been injured in a railroad accident. If you’re a railroad worker suffering from lung cancer or disease, it is important to know that it also offers a potential legal remedy that a lawyer could help you pursue if your illness can be linked to your job. Our attorneys have helped many railroad workers who have suffered illness from asbestos.

Types of Lung Diseases in Railroad Workers

Inhaling asbestos fiber, dust, wood or glass particles and other fumes is difficult even for short periods of time, and constant contact with those substances can lead to permanent and irreversible damage. Chronic and severe conditions that commonly arise in rail workers include:

  • Lung cancer — Lung cancer is a painful and often deadly disease that comes in two varieties: small cell and non-small cell. Treatment options include chemotherapy, which is often difficult and expensive.
  • Mesothelioma — Mesothelioma is a form of cancer directly related to exposure to asbestos.
  • Other cancers — Exposure to diesel fumes and other chemicals increases workers’ chances of caner of the digestive tract, colon, larynx, esophagus and kidneys.
  • Asbestosis —  Asbestosis is permanent scarring of the interior of the lungs, making breathing difficult. It is caused by inhaling microscopic fibers from asbestos, which is commonly used in brake padding and elsewhere in train cars. There is no cure for this condition.
  • Silicosis — Similar to asbestosis, silicosis is caused by tiny bits of glass particles that are inhaled and cause permanent damage to the lungs over time. It is common in professions that involve woodworking, sand blasting, and construction activities such as those in rail yards.
  • Pulmonary problems — Working in a rail yard can lead to exposure to oil, chemicals, fumes, dust and other potentially harmful substances. If you have experienced difficulty breathing or other symptoms that have not yet been diagnosed, your condition could be related to your work.

Lung disease and related medical problems suffered by railroad workers are covered by FELA. Our lawyers are experienced at helping railroad employees recover damages under FELA law to pay for what is often expensive and long-lasting lung cancer treatment.

Contact a Virginia Attorney To Learn About Lung Diseases in Railroad Workers

Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers works with clients who have suffered medical problems, such as lung cancer, related to working on the railroad. If you think your lung condition, such as mesothelioma, was caused by your working conditions at a rail yard, you may have a valid claim under FELA. Our firm offers you a free case evaluation and contingency fees, so you do not pay until you receive compensation. Contact us today for an appointment.

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