Railroads have always played a significant part of American life; they provide inexpensive and efficient transportation for people and goods. Although trucks and cars have had an impact on the importance of the railroads, they still account for a third of all exports and employ more than one million men and women in the US.
Railroad industry employment is not without inherent risks, one of which is exposure to what is now known to be a material known to cause cancer: asbestos. Asbestos was used extensively in the manufacture of train components, such as brakes, up through the 1970s and 80s. OSHA made the industry aware of the dangers of asbestos, but in many cases, this information was not passed down to employees. Today, affected railroad employees are engaging a railroad cancer law firm to lead their fight for compensation.
Occupational exposure:
Asbestos was used in many different products used by the railroad industry. Asbestos insulation was used extensively; it was also used in the manufacture of cement ties and many locomotive components. Because of the wide proliferation of the material, workers that had nothing to do with these parts were exposed.
Research into cancer amongst railroad employees shows that there were three times as many cancer cases among train operators and roundhouse personnel than people not exposed.
Railroad workers lawsuits:
Railroad workers are not part of the worker’s compensation program; these people can sue their employers under FELA, the Federal Employee’s Liability Act. Once hired, a railroad cancer law firm must prove that it was employer negligence that contributed to an injury or disease.
Although railroad workers exposure to asbestos was higher than other industries, this is not to say that carpenters, electricians, boiler maintenance personnel, and HVAC technicians are not at risk. These and others were, and still are, at risk of cancer as a result of asbestos exposure.
Asbestos was used extensively in the railroad industry. If you or a loved one have lung cancer or other serious respiratory disease you should contact a railroad cancer law firm. For a free case review, you are welcome to contact Hughes Law Offices. Follow us o twitter.
