A railroad conductor has filed an Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit alleging the company allowed him to regularly suffer exposure to toxic chemicals at work.

Plaintiff Scott T. alleges he has been an Illinois Central Railroad conductor for almost 20 years. In 2015, Scott says, he was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which he says is a result of the railroad’s dereliction of care.

Scott says he was required to work in hazardous environments without wearing proper respiratory protection. He allegedly was exposed to and inhaled diesel exhaust and fumes, creosote, chemicals, dust, powders, dioxins, sulfur smoke, sulfuric acid, phosphate fumes, degreasing agents, and other toxins.

He claims that during his exposure, he was unaware that his risk of injury, disease and illness increased greatly due to the fact he was not provided with adequate protective equipment. After he realized the implications, he filed his Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit.

Illinois Central Railroad Lawsuit Allegations

According to the Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit, the railroad knew or should have known that exposure to such daily hazards were likely to cause harm. Illinois Central allegedly failed to provide Scott with a reasonable method to perform his work and failed to provide him with reasonably safe conditions to work in.

The Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit alleges the company failed to comply with OSHA regulations as well.

As a result, Scott claims, he has experienced “severe pain, limitations, loss of function, sensory changes, neurological damage, and adverse treatment side effects,” all of which have led to “great bodily, mental, psychological and emotional pain, suffering and damages, as well as a loss of enjoyment of life.”

The Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit shows the darker side of the nostalgic blue collar legend. Railroad workers are exposed to hundreds of compounds through diesel exhaust alone. Microscopic particulates of sulfur dioxide, benzene and other carcinogens reach deep into the lung tissue. As these particles fester, they cause inflammation and lung tissue damage, resulting in a condition known as “diesel asthma,” which actually is a form of COPD.

Asbestos is another known airborne carcinogen used in railroad work. The heat resistant, fire resistant mineral has been used as an insulator and as brake material for years even though it is a known cancer-causing substance. In fact, among industries linked with asbestosis deaths between 1990 and 1999, railroad work came in fourth place.

Despite the fact these particulates have been known as seriously dangerous cancer-causing agents for more than 30 years, railroad workers such as Scott are exposed to them day after day on the job with nothing to protect their lungs.

The Illinois Central Railroad lawsuit says Scott needed medical, hospital, surgical and therapeutic care and incurred significant expenses for these needs as a result of his exposure to toxins at work.

The Illinois Central Railroad Lawsuit is Case No. 2:18-cv-02089-CSB-EIL in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois.