Lawsuit: Man exposed to numerous toxic substances at railroad job

It has long been known that certain dustries put workers at a greater risk for developing an asbestos-related illness, from train manufacturers to construction to the U.S. military. These industries have a long and upsetting history of exposing workers to asbestos and failing to take adequate steps to protect the men and women working with the toxic material.

Recently, for example, a man filed a lawsuit against a Union Pacific Railroad Company after he developed lung cancer. He claims that he spent nearly four decades working for the company and was exposed to numerous dangerous substances during that time.

The lawsuit argues that the railroad company failed to properly monitor the air for potential hazards and did not provide workers with protective clothing. This left him vulnerable to the effects of breathing in silica, environmental tobacco smoke and asbestos. By not taking these steps, the man argues that the company is responsible for his recent diagnosis.

Asbestos-related illnesses, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, can take a devastating toll on a person’s health. In many cases, people are unable to continue working which can make it exceedingly difficult for them to cover the huge costs of treating an illness. This can include medication, testing, medical appointments and lost wages, not to mention the emotional and physical toll it can take on a victim’s family.

In order to ease the financial strain of an asbestos-related illness, many people who worked in dustries like the railways choose to pursue workers’ compensation benefits and/or negligence claims from a third party. While these actions cannot undo the events that led to such a devastating situation, they can result in compensation, which can ease the financial burden on victims and their families.

Source: The Madison-St. Clair Record, “Railroad worker claims lung cancer due to asbestos exposure,” June 21, 2014