FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Railroad workers exposed to harmful chemicals such as diesel exhaust fumes, coal fumes, benzene or asbestos are at risk of developing a serious illness, including cancer. A successful FELA claim could award damages that cover medical expenses loss of income suffering and more.
Union Pacific recently awarded $7.5 Million to one of its railroad workers who was diagnosed with Leukemia. cancer lawsuit is only one instance of how the justice system fights for the injured.
Benzene
Railroad workers often work with chemical solvents and other hazardous substances, such as benzene. union pacific railroad lawsuit , a liquid that is highly evaporative is absorbed by the skin or inhaled. cancer lawsuit is linked to a number medical conditions including cancer and blood-related cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, and bone-marrow disease. It is also a cancer-causing agent and a component of coal tar creosote, a substance used to shield railroad tracks from heat, sunlight snow, rain, and sunlight.
One former rail worker claimed that his exposure to benzene during his work with coal tar creosote railroad ties caused Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), which progressed into Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A jury gave him $7.5 million last September.
Anyone diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses resulting from daily exposure to asbestos, benzene radioactive substances and other toxic chemicals are entitled to file a claim for compensation under FELA. The statute of limitations may vary based on the type and degree of cancer or illness. It is imperative to consult an experienced attorney immediately.
A railroad lawyer at Shaw Cowart can help you determine whether your case is eligible for a FELA claim. We provide free consultations and are well-versed with FELA as well as railroad workplaces and the dangerous cancer-causing substances many railroad employees face every day.
Asbestos
Our lawyers have represented railroad workers who developed lung cancer, as well as other health issues caused by asbestos exposure. They worked in areas like repair shops, engine room and yards, or on track equipment or rail cars with asbestos insulation. This type of asbestos is particularly hazardous because, when it gets deteriorated tiny fibers are released into air. These fibers could be inhaled by railroad workers and cause mesothelioma along with other asbestos-related illnesses like lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaque and fibrosis.
In addition to asbestos, railroad workers are also at high risk for developing lung disease due to diesel exhaust and exposure to other workplace toxics such as solvents, welding fumes and silica sand. These particles and fumes can damage the kidneys, lungs and gastrointestinal tract, as well as blood cells. These injuries are often identified several years after the initial exposure, and can lead to a variety of grave and debilitating health conditions.
Recent case against Conrail illustrates the risks associated with this kind of work. The Appeals Court upheld a jury award of $2.3 million to the railroad company in respect of a former railway employee who died of mesothelioma. A jury awarded damages to cover suffering and suffering along with companionship loss, future medical expenses, and other losses. This case highlights the importance of working with a seasoned attorney who can quickly determine whether an FELA claim is warranted.
Radioactive Substances
People who are exposed to radioactive substances may develop cancers or other serious ailments. They are often concealed in the materials railroads use to clean tracks and other rail yards. It can be difficult to recognize them unless the railroad's business actively tests for Gamma and Alpha radiation. If a railroad employee develops cancer or another ailment caused by exposure to carcinogenic substances at work, he is able to make an FELA and receive compensation from the company he worked for previously.
Research has shown that railroad workers are more likely to develop various types of cancer than other people. They are constantly exposed to toxins which can cause lung cancer. They are exposed to asbestos as well as sand (silica), welding fumes, or diesel fumes.
Railroad employees who have been diagnosed with cancer as a consequence of exposure to the workplace should speak to a railroad lawyer as soon as possible. They can help them determine whether they have a legal claim against their former employers and file the appropriate lawsuits under FELA. These claims can be based on compensation for medical costs, loss of income and suffering and pain. They also can compensate for the loss of a loved one as a wrongful-death claim. A railroad lawyer with experience can help victims receive the maximum amount of the damages they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Railroad workers such as engineers conductors and other members of the train crew are often in dangerous environments that can harm lungs without even realizing it. Former railroad workers who have developed lung cancer or any other condition which could be caused by their job may apply for compensation under Federal Employers Liability (FELA).
As opposed to workers' compensation claims, FELA allows injured railroad employees and the families of deceased employees to sue for damages including future and past emotional and medical costs. An attorney knowledgeable of FELA regulations could explain to you your options.
To win a FELA lawsuit, you will have to prove that your employer acted negligently in a manner. It could be a matter of breaking a law or rule or failing to meet an acceptable standard of care, and many more. A FELA lawyer can review your case and determine whether railroad negligence caused your condition.
Railroad exposure can cause variety of lung diseases. If you were exposed to asbestos, diesel exhaust, creosote and other toxins throughout your employment on the railway, a reputable mesothelioma lawyer can help you file for compensation under FELA. Hughes Law Offices has handled FELA cases in the past, and they have resulted a variety of verdicts and settlements.