Diesel fuel powers truck, cars, heavy equipment, trains, buses and even ships. When a person is exposed to diesel fuel exhaust and breathes it over a protracted period of time, one of the most common disorders it can cause is diesel exhaust cancer. It typically takes the form of lung cancer, and it can affect people who work in the following jobs:
- Truck drivers
- Railroad workers
- Diesel mechanics
- Firefighters
- Petroleum industry workers
The Recent Evidence
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diesel fumes are a major cancer risk. It has been placed in the same lethal category as asbestos, arsenic and mustard gas. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is a part of WHO that conducts research into the causes of cancer. Diesel exhaust fumes were previously classified by the IARC as probably carcinogenic since 1988. The organization now says that there is sufficient evidence to confirm that exposure to diesel exhaust fumes is a cause of lung cancer, and it also increases the risk of bladder cancer, pulmonary issues and blood disorders.
Findings in the United States
More than 15 years ago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concluded that prolonged exposure to diesel fumes was “strongly supportive” of a finding that it was causally related to lung cancer. The evidence was found to be “persuasive.”
The Burden of Proof
Unlike criminal cases where the burden of proof is beyond a reasonable doubt, diesel fumes cases are civil in nature, which means it needs only to be proven by a preponderance of the evidence. What that means is that the claimant’s version of events is more likely true than not true. It’s a lower burden of proof than in a criminal case.
If you believe that you suffer from diesel exhaust cancer that was caused by prolonged exposure to diesel fumes, then don’t be reluctant about contacting us. You might be entitled to compensation. Call Diesel Injury Law at 312-877-5588 to arrange for a free consultation and case evaluation. You can also use our online contact form.
