In recent years, the rapid evolution of automated vehicles has been a mainstay in the news as people either welcome the technology or raise concerns about safety. While all this is going on, railways companies have been working diligently behind closed doors on Automatic Train Operation, an innovation that could forever change how cargo is shipped across the United States. […]
Automated Train Operation A Cause For Concern
Is the Railroad Staffing Shortage Affecting Worker Safety?
All across the United States, staffing shortages are crippling major industries. The problem is especially critical on the railroads where indications of a strike nearly shut down services and paralyzed the economy. These worker shortages are not good for safety or for business on railroads where current conditions already have employees stretched to their breaking point. In September, a standoff […]
What Makes Working on the Railroad So Dangerous?
Railroad workers probably face the harshest and most hazardous working conditions in the country. They often have to stand in exhausting positions and work under extreme temperatures. They also have to use dangerous machines and materials besides these difficulties. All of this creates a high-risk working environment. Additionally, there are long-term health risks associated with the potential exposure to toxic […]
Most Common Injuries Reported While Working for a Railroad
Job-related injuries are common in many professions that involve the use of complex machinery and cramped workspaces. The hazardous nature of railroad work puts the railroad workers are at a greater risk of injuries than most other jobs. Looking at the heightened risk in railroad work, Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) came into effect in 1908 to protect the rights […]
3 Reasons Why an Injured Railroad Worker Should Hire a FELA Lawyer
The work environment of railroad employees often entails a variety of stressful and hazardous conditions. The provision and implementation of a safe work environment for the employees, whether while operating a train, driving a crew, or working on railway maintenance, is the railway employer’s legal responsibility. But every now and then, things do take a turn for the worse, resulting […]
How To Determine Whether Asbestos, Diesel Exhaust Fumes Or Solvents Cause Specific Types Of Cancers?
It is already known that mesothelioma is caused exclusively by prolong exposure to asbestos. The studies have also shown that exposure to diesel fumes and/or asbestos can lead to several other deadly diseases. There is scientific evidence that connects diesel and asbestos exposure to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asbestosis, stomach cancer, lung cancer, kidney cancer, colon cancer, throat cancer, […]
FELA Lung Cancer Cases Caused By Asbestos And Diesel Exhaust Fumes
Asbestos, coal dust, sand dust (silica), diesel fumes and exhaust, are known carcinogens, which means exposure to these elements can lead to lung cancer. Similarly, fumes from solvents, welding, and other materials can also lead to cancer. This is why railroad workers and other workers who usually work with such substances during their jobs are at increased risk of cancer. […]
Railroad Worker Occupational Diseases/Cancers: Workplace Causes of Multiple Myeloma Blood Cancers
It is well known that people who work in the railroad industry tend to face a wide range of occupational hazards on a regular basis due to the nature of their work. Exposure to toxic chemicals, in particular, is one of the most dangerous hazards they face on the job, as a result of which they are at a significantly […]
What Is Asbestos Induced Mesothelioma Cancer And How Is It Diagnosed?
Mesothelioma is an aggressive and incurable cancer that develops in the mesothelium – a layer of tissue that covers the internal organs. In a vast majority of cases, mesothelioma tends to affect the lungs. It can, in some cases, also affect the abdominal cavity, heart, or the testicles. Every year, over 3,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with […]
What Are a Victim’s Legal Options if Injured in a Train Crash?
According to the National Transportation Safety Bureau, a person or vehicle is hit by a train every two hours. Approximately 1,000 people are killed each year in train-related accidents. This number has seen a steady increase each year since 1997. Some of the more common types of train accidents include: Train-car crashes Train-person crash Train-train crash Derailment National statistics […]