One of the most harmful substances in the world is asbestos. It used to be considered a very useful material for insulation because it is a fire retardant material. It was used to coat the pipes in locomotive engines, and repair facilities and even in yard offices. Some rail workers have told us stories of how they would add water to a bucket full of white dust or powder and then use their hands to mix the water and powder until a paste was created. They would then take the paste and coat pipes on railroad engines by hand. The powder was asbestos, and of course, the railroad worker breathed in the asbestos while mixing the bucket of powder. After asbestos has been used in a building or equipment such as a railroad locomotive engine, it can disintegrate and the dust can be inhaled by railroad workers. The consequences for the injured railroad workers are deadly. When the railroad worker or family member breathes in the asbestos dust, it goes into the lungs and never leaves. The lungs and the body react to the presence of the dust and scar tissue is created in the railroad worker's lungs. This scar tissue causes breathing problems for the injured railroad worker and can never be cured. Unfortunately, it can also lead to a deadly cancer called mesothelioma. There is no cure for mesothelioma.

At the Wilson & Hajek injury law firm, an experienced railroad injury lawyer knows the railroad world and can help determine when and where you were exposed to asbestos.  Sometimes, we have to do comprehensive research to build records of railroad asbestos exposure.  Sometimes we have to track down former coworkers.  Whatever it takes, our injury lawyers and investigator will try to make sure the record is clear and that we know what happened to you.  Asbestos cases are serious because of the potentially deadly consequences.  An experienced railroad injury lawyer is always needed in these asbestos cases.