Often railroad workers and retirees have questions regarding asbestos and no where to turn to for answers. The information below covers some of the questions frequently asked by our clients:

What Is Asbestos and How Was it Used on the Railroad?

Asbestos is a mineral that may cause many diseases, including cancer. It was used in insulation materials (lagging) during the steam era and into the diesel era. Steam engine boilers, fireboxes, pipes and cabs were insulated with asbestos. In addition, asbestos was used in many other compounds such as pipe coverings, heat shields, cement, gaskets, packing and rope.

Why Should I Be Concerned about Exposure to Asbestos?

Because breathing asbestos dust can cause serious diseases:

ASBESTOSIS is scarring of the lungs caused by breathing asbestos. Asbestosis is incurable and may worsen over time. It usually does not cause problems until 20-30 years after exposure.

CANCER of various types is also caused by asbestos exposure, including lung cancer, cancer of the lining of the chest and abdomen (mesothelioma) and some gastrointestinal cancers, particularly cancer of the larynx.

What Symptoms Are Associated With Asbestos Disease?

The universal symptom in all lung diseases is the same: shortness of breath. This is typically worse with exertion or exercise. Many asbestos-affected individuals have a dry, nagging cough. Some persons with early asbestos disease have few symptoms as all.

What Railroad Workers Were Exposed?

Asbestos-caused diseases are not confined to any particular job title or description. If you worked in the shops or round houses, or worked on the crew of a steam locomotive, you were probably exposed to asbestos, even if it was not continually dusty.

How Long Does it Take for Asbestos Disease to Develop?

The scarring from asbestos takes a long period of time to develop, with the disease not appearing until 20 to 40 years after a worker's first exposure to asbestos. Once you have inhaled the fibers they cannot be removed from your lungs. Asbestos tends to slowly and continually damage the lungs over time, even after exposure stops.

 

What About Railroad Veterans Who Are Already Deceased?

Often asbestos-related deaths and cancers can be documented by a thorough review of medical records. In general, the family of a deceased railroader has three years in which to investigate and file their claim for compensation. Time limits may be shortened in some circumstances.

How Are Asbestos Health Problems Diagnosed?

The medical lab tests for asbestosis are relatively simple. Initially, all that is required is a basic chest x-ray. However, this x-ray must be evaluated by a certified radiologist with special training.

If it is determined that the x-ray shows asbestos scarring, then, special breathing tests (pulmonary function tests) are arranged. These tests can reveal the extent of the impairment that asbestos has caused.

Unless a worker or retiree has developed a malignancy (cancer) no surgeries, biopsies, or hospitalizations are needed or recommended.

The staff at Roven-Kaplan, L.L.P. has over twenty-five years of combined experience in assisting veteran and retired railroaders with occupational diseases and injuries. Our goal is to protect your rights while providing you with responsive individualized legal service. Mr. Roven is past chairman of the Occupational Disease Section of the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys. References and further information are available upon request.

How Can I Get More Information or Advice About My Situation?

Persons interested in more information or who need legal assistance concerning asbestos or other occupational diseases and injuries are welcome to contact us.

 

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