Written by our personal injury lawyers in Charlottesville
Railroad workers were exposed to asbestos in the course of their jobs on the railroads in Charlottesville, Augusta County, Waynesboro, and throughout central Virginia. Railroad worker occupations such as engineers, brakeman, hostlers, conductors, yardmasters, as well as those persons who worked in manufacturing locomotives and cars, checking mechanical conditions of locomotives, and loading and unloading cars in railroad yards were potentially exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos was used as a fire-retardant and heat insulator, it was also used in the production of boiler and pipe insulation, high temperature gaskets, brake and clutch linings, and some diesel locomotives had asbestos-containing insulation. This asbestos-containing insulation was also used around rail cars. It was common in packing rope, cement and heavy duty floor tiles for passenger cars. Asbestos fibers are microscopic and extremely light. They can remain airborne for an extended period of time which means that railroad workers who were simply around asbestos products could be seriously affected by the asbestos fibers.
The railway companies knew about the asbestos dangers to their employees and what safety precautions were needed to protect their employees as early as the 1930’s. The railway companies knew about the link between asbestos and lung cancer in the 1960’s but again chose not to take any protective measures for its employees. Even worse, the railway companies continued to use asbestos products into the 1990’s.
If you are one of those persons who has worked around asbestos, the symptoms would not appear for 20 or more years after the initial exposure. Even people in Charlottesville, Augusta County, Waynesboro, and throughout central Virginia who have not worked in the railroad industry for many years may still be at risk for developing mesothelioma or other asbestos diseases.
If you have any such symptoms, you should discuss these with your doctor. You should also call the law firm of Wilson & Hajek to receive advice on how to proceed with a claim against the railway company. You will talk to with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers in Charlottesville who is familiar with claims related to asbestos and you will receive a free consultation as to how you should proceed with your claim.
Railroad workers can collect for injuries. Contact the law firm of Wilson & Hajek.
Personal injury lawyers in Charlottesville serving Augusta County, Waynesboro and all of central Virginia.
