Laggers and Asbestos Exposure
Laggers are included in the list of railroad industry employees that may have been unknowingly exposed to asbestos and, consequently affected by serious health problems like mesothelioma and asbestosis.
Laggers are at a High Risk for Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
The railroad industry has been regarded as one of the more hazardous working environments due to the high volume of confirmed asbestos exposures and resulting mesothelioma lawsuits. Laggers who worked on trains were at a high risk for asbestos exposure because they often installed and repaired asbestos containing insulation throughout the train. Asbestos products can release fibers and dust into the air when disturbed, which when inhaled can lead to numerous health problems including cancers such as mesothelioma, lung, esophageal, gastrointestinal, laryngeal, and pharyngeal. Unfortunately, these asbestos exposures could mostly have been prevented if laggers had simply been given the proper information, training and safety equipment.
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Asbestos Products in the Railroad Industry
Asbestos was used in different areas of locomotives primarily because of its resistance to heat and friction, but also for a resistance to electrical and chemical damage, sound absorption and tensile strength. Asbestos insulation was used in several areas of the train including engine rooms, box-cars, cabooses, boiler rooms, and around various pipes. Asbestos was also used in refrigeration units, railroad brakes, clutches, gaskets, packing, rope, cement, and ceiling/floor tiles.
As with the typical occupational asbestos exposures, the on-site workers are not the only people at risk for asbestosis, mesothelioma, and the other health risks. Railroad employees often returned to their home covered in asbestos s dust putting both family and friends at risk.
Were You Exposed to Asbestos Working as a Railroad Lagger? Asbestos Attorneys May be Able to Help
It is recommended that people who have spent a significant period of time working as a lagger on trains get a full physical evaluation by a doctor. Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, may take up to 30-40 years to manifest. Like many other diseases, it is important to catch the disease in its early stages. At-risk workers should pay close attention to any mesothelioma symptoms which include fluid in the lungs, chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and fatigue.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and believe you were exposed to asbestos over the course of your railroad career, you may be entitled to an mesothelioma settlement from your former employer. To learn more about your legal options, please one of our asbestos attorneys for a free case evaluation.