FELA Lawsuit Attorney

Toxic Chemicals and Brain Injuries

As FELA attorneys, Williams Kherkher knows that railroad workers face a wide variety of dangers while they are on the job. In addition to the physical risks such as broken bones or spinal damage, they also encounter many toxic chemicals through exposure to cleaning solvents, diesel exhaust, and more. Some of the risks of this exposure, such as cancer and breathing disorders, are well known. Less information is widely known about the effects these chemicals can have on the brain.

Dangerous Chemicals

Railroads have been gradually reducing toxic chemicals at their workplaces since the 1960’s. Even now, unfortunately, these workplaces are not completely safe. Some toxic chemicals that many employees are still required to work with include:

• Benzene: A man-made substance that is found in many materials such as rubber, solvents, and paints. Short-term exposure can affect breathing and cognition, while long-term exposure can lead to serious health complications.
• Cleaning solvents: Although railroads officially deny the link between these chemicals and brain damage, many railroad employees have successfully won damages for a neural condition called toxic encephalopathy after being exposed to them.
• Creosote: A variety of petroleum-based chemicals derived from the creosote bush. Long-term exposure can cause serious medical problems, including neurological symptoms such as seizures.

Health Outcomes

Even immediate exposure to some chemicals, such as benzene, can create side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, or even loss of consciousness. These problems can clearly be a great danger to anyone who works around heavy machinery. The long-term effects of exposure to toxins can include:

• Depression
• Memory loss
• Physical and mental impairment

Contact a FELA Lawyer

If you are a railroad worker who has been injured by employer negligence, contact the FELA lawsuit attorneys Williams Kherkher at 800-220-9341.