FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Workers exposed to toxic chemicals such as diesel exhaust, coal fumes or asbestos may develop serious illnesses including cancer. A successful FELA case can be awarded damages to cover medical expenses, income loss, pain and suffering.
Union Pacific recently awarded $7.5 Million to one of their railroad workers who developed Leukemia. This is just one illustration of how the justice system stands up for victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to hazardous substances and chemical solvents, including benzene. It is a highly evaporative liquid, can be absorbed by the skin or inhaled. It has been linked to various medical conditions, including cancer blood-related cancers, such as leukemia and Lymphoma, and bone-marrow diseases. It is also a cancer-causing substance and is a component of coal tar creosote which is used to shield railroad tie from sunlight, heat and rain.
A former railroad worker claimed that exposure to benzene working with coal-tar creosote create railroad ties, contributed to Myelodysplastic Syndrome. This progressed to Acute Myeloid leukemia. A jury awarded the man $7.5 million in September of last year.
Those who have been diagnosed as having cancer or other chronic diseases due to daily exposure to benzene asbestos radioactive substances, and other hazardous chemicals, have the right to claim compensation under FELA. Depending on the kind of cancer or illness, the statute of limitations will vary, therefore it is important to speak with a skilled lawyer as quickly as you can.
Shaw Cowart's railroad lawyers will help you determine if your case is a candidate to be an FELA lawsuit. We provide free consultations and are conversant with FELA railway workplaces, FELA and the dangerous cancer-causing substances many railroad workers face on a daily basis.
Asbestos
Our attorneys have represented railroad workers who developed lung cancer, as well as other health issues due to asbestos exposure. They worked in places like repair shops, engine room and yards, as well as on track equipment or derailed railway cars that contained asbestos insulation. This type of asbestos is particularly hazardous because, when it gets deteriorated tiny fibers are released into the air. The fibers are breathed in by railroad employees and can cause mesothelioma and lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural plaque.
In addition to asbestos, railroad workers are also at risk of developing lung diseases from diesel exhaust as well as exposure to other workplace toxins such as welding fumes, solvents and silica sand. These particles and fumes could damage the kidneys, lungs, gastrointestinal tract and blood cells. These injuries can be detected years after the first exposure and can lead to debilitating and serious ailments.
A recent case involving Conrail exposes the dangers of this type of work. The Appeals Court has upheld a jury verdict of $2.3million against Conrail in respect of an ex-railway worker who died from mesothelioma. A jury awarded damages for his pain and suffering, loss of companionship, future medical costs and other losses. The case underscores the importance of working with a seasoned attorney who is able to quickly assess whether an FELA claim is warranted.
Radioactive Substances
Railroad workers who have been exposed to radioactive substances are at risk for developing certain types of cancers as well as other serious ailments. These substances are typically hidden in the materials that railroads employ to clean tracks and other rail yards. It is often difficult to recognize them unless the railroad company screens for alpha and Gamma radiation. If a railroad employee is diagnosed with cancer or another illness caused by exposure to carcinogenic substances while on the job, they are able to file an FELA claim and receive compensation from their former employer.
union pacific railroad lawsuit are more prone than others to develop cancer. This is due to being constantly exposed to chemicals that can lead to lung cancer, like asbestos, the sand dust (silica), welding fumes, diesel fumes and creosote.
Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer as a result of exposure on the job should consult an attorney from the railroad as soon as possible. They can help them determine whether they have a case against the former employer and make the appropriate lawsuits that are based on FELA. These claims can be based on reimbursement for medical expenses or loss of income, as well as pain and suffering. They can also compensate for the death of a loved one through the case of wrongful death. An experienced railroad attorney can assist victims get the maximum amount of compensation they are entitled to under FELA.
cancer lawsuit , conductors, and train crew members work in dangerous situations where they may damage their lungs without even realizing. If a former railroad employee has contracted an illness, such as lung cancer or another illness that could have been related to their job and work, they could be eligible to file for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
Unlike workers' compensation claims, FELA allows injured railroad employees as well as the families of deceased employees to sue for damages including past and future emotional suffering and medical expenses. An attorney who is familiar with the rules of FELA will be able to explain your options for filing.
In order to be successful in a FELA claim, you must prove that your employer was negligent. Negligence could mean breaking a rule or law and not observing an acceptable standard of care, and many more. union pacific railroad lawsuit can look over your case and determine if railroad negligence was a factor in your condition.
Railroad exposure can trigger a variety of lung diseases. If Bladder cancer lawsuit were exposed in your railroad career to diesel exhaust or other toxins, such as creosote or asbestos creosote, a mesothelioma lawyer will assist you in filing claims for compensation under the FELA. The FELA cases handled by Hughes Law Offices have resulted in a variety of verdicts and settlements.