Each year American workers by the thousands are exposed to environmental conditions on the job that result in the development of varying occupational diseases. With the industrialization of America and the use of new chemical agents, these types of injuries have increased especially in the railroad industry. Most, if not all of these injuries, can be prevented by the use of proper care by the railroad companies by warning employees, providing proper working conditions, providing proper protection, and the use of proper methods.
Despite many years of knowledge on behalf of the railroad companies that the conditions they were exposing their workers to had the potential to cause serious and disabling occupational diseases, they have done nothing until recent years. As a result, workers have developed varying diseases and conditions from occupational exposure to these chemicals and conditions. Some of these diseases do not manifest themselves until many years after the original exposure. The railroads are responsible under the FELA for occupational diseases.
