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In the realm of personal injury law, there are several different types of accidents that can cause serious harm. One of the less common dangers discussed is railroad hazards and how workers in the industry can suffer significant injuries.
Railroad dangers are something that not everyone thinks about, but the issues that can arise may result in long-term health concerns for either physical injuries, exposure to toxic chemicals, or even health conditions that may develop.
Knowing what problems can arise for railroad workers is important and our firm is here to represent individuals when their injuries are caused by negligence. Some of the most prominent dangers for railroad workers and in train accidents include the following:
If you are a railroad worker who has been harmed, call us at (713) 396-5197 today.
To learn more about the various dangers involved in railroad workplaces, continue reading the sections below.
Faulty Equipment or Tools
In many situations, it is imperative the tools and equipment used for work purposes to be completely safe. Unfortunately, there are times when defects come into play and things don’t work the way they’re supposed to, presenting serious harm to the individuals using them.
Like in any other situation, faulty machinery, equipment, or tools can result in the worker using them can suffer significant injuries should something go wrong. This can include instances of the following problems with the faulty equipment:
- Machinery catching fire or exploding
- Parts coming loose and causing the machinery to fall apart
- Issues involving the design of the equipment exposing the worker to harm
Defective products—like in many other situations—can result in the worker suffering significant injuries including brain injuries, crush injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, burns, and more. The events of the defect can result in permanent disability and the worker injured has the right to take legal action should someone else’s negligent actions cause the defect.
Dangerous Working Conditions
It’s imperative for individuals to ensure they have safe working conditions. This means the following issues are properly addressed:
- Any and all sanitary facilities in which people work must be kept clean to ensure safety
- All railroad workers exposed to loud noises must be provided with ear protection to avoid significant hearing damage
- All railroad workers must be provided a comfortable temperature in their work areas to avoid heat stroke
- Any loud noises in the cab must be reduced to protect workers’ hearing
- Any vibrations should be reduced to a minimum level
- All history of accidents must be documented and problems must be remedied to protect from future incidents of problems
Railroad workers must be provided a safe workspace in which they can properly do their jobs without fear of suffering harm. If the railroad company fails to provide such working conditions and the worker suffers any kind of injury or significant health condition, they may be held accountable for any negligence or oversight which lead to the damage.
Exposure to Hazards
As is the case with many different industries, it’s possible for those who work on railroads to be exposed to serious hazards, including but not limited to asbestos, various metals, silica, certain solvents, and the many fuels that can be present on the worksite.
When someone is exposed to dangerous hazards, inhalation can mean long-term health problems. For instance, inhalation of asbestos can result in mesothelioma and lung cancer that may not appear in the victim for up to 10 to 30 years after the exposure occurs.
Many of those who work on railroads can go years without recognizing symptoms of a condition caused by exposure to dangerous materials. However, it’s imperative that they recognize when the exposure occurred so they can identify if negligence exists and who may be held accountable for the condition or injury they sustained.
These potential hazards can be exposed to anyone, including the workers on the railroads, as well as conductors and various others in the industry.
Toxic Substances
While the individuals may not work directly with toxic substances, there are several instances in which these troubling materials are transported within the trains. As such, if anything were to go wrong and the train crashes, it could cause the toxic substances to be exposed and those around the crash site can suffer serious harm.
Railroad workers there to help clean up the spill can also be subject to exposure and they can result in significant harm, as well as catastrophic injuries. The various substances often transported via railways include, but are not limited to the following:
- Explosives
- Gases
- Flammable liquids
- Other flammable materials
- Radioactive items
- Poisonous substances
- Infectious substances
- Organic peroxides
- Oxidizing substances
Many people don’t even recognize the various substances as toxic or dangerous, but when something goes wrong, workers can be seriously harmed—including suffering burns or respiratory problems—because of the harmful chemicals.
Exposure to any kind of hazardous chemical or material is a preventable act should the worker have the right safety equipment and measures are taken to prevent leaks or spills. When workers are not protected, it can be the company who is considered responsible and those injured may be able to seek compensation for the injuries they have sustained.
Experience from a Family of Railroad Workers
There are countless dangers that exist in this industry, but that doesn’t mean workers shouldn’t be given the proper equipment to ensure their safety. If anyone knows and recognizes this, it’s our founding attorney, Jason Webster.
Jason’s father, grandfather, great grandfather, and great great grandfather all held positions within the railroad industry. To this day, Jason’s father works as a freight train engineer and the knowledge regarding the industry is an everlasting presence in Jason’s family.
As such, this knowledge allows us to have a clear and concise understanding of the dangers involved for railroad workers and how they can occur. We know the various occupations that exist, which hazards they may be exposed to, and what companies are required to do and provide for safety purposes.
At Webster Vicknair MacLeod, we know it’s not easy to be an industry where danger exists more often than it should. We also know how negligence can be a source of injuries for many workers and what rights you have to hold parties liable for their actions.
With our railroad worker injury attorneys, you can have peace of mind knowing someone is looking out for your best interests and wants to help you pursue the compensation and justice you need. This is especially true when we know the ins and outs of the industry, the laws concerning protection of railroad workers, and the legal options you may have to pursue justice and compensation for the injuries you have sustained.
If you’re a railroad worker who has suffered injuries because of negligence in the workplace, you have options. We want to protect your rights and pursue the most favorable outcome on your behalf. Contact our firm today at (713) 396-5197 to discuss your options.