Railroad Lawsuits and Asthma
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to fumes and toxic chemicals such as creosote, silica asbestos, and creosote. These exposures may lead to respiratory disorders like asthma.
Fortunately, the victims could be eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act. A reputable railroad lawsuit asthma lawyer will aid. Here are some examples of settlements that have been successful and verdicts.
Diesel Exhaust
Since trains run on diesel fuels railroad employees are exposed all day to diesel fumes. These fumes are composed of soot particles as well as toxic chemicals. Exposure to these fumes can contribute to asthma and other lung diseases.
Railroads have been aware of the dangers of exposure to diesel exhaust for years. However the majority of companies have not taken appropriate measures to protect their employees. In the end, a few railroad workers have been diagnosed with respiratory ailments that are severe and debilitating.
Exposure to diesel fumes when coupled with other workplace hazards such asbestos, creosote and even silica, can lead to life-changing lung diseases, including asthma. These conditions can prevent railroad workers from returning to their work and can affect the quality of their lives.
In one case that our lawyers were able to defend, they successfully the FELA claim brought by a former locomotive engineer who claimed to have contracted leukemia and other cancers due to the exposure to diesel fumes and other toxic chemicals when working on railway equipment. The court granted summary judgment for the railroads in question, deciding that Plaintiff did not make a reasonably diligent search for information about his condition at the time of diagnosis and that his claims were not time-barred.
Dust
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to a variety of dust, such as silica from coal dust, ballast, and chemical fuels or petroleum. These toxic substances can be harmful to an individual's health and can cause respiratory ailments, such as asthma.
Our FELA lawyer has helped a lot of people seek compensation for their exposure. FELA permits workers suffering from certain diseases to hold their employers accountable for failing to protect them from dangers in their workplaces.
A Montana jury, for example it awarded $3.7 Million to an engineer from the past who suffered from pulmonary fibroidsis. Leukemia lawsuit is a progressive lung condition that is caused by scarring in lung tissue. In his FELA claim, the plaintiff claimed that inhaling diesel fumes hundreds, if no thousands of times, contributed to the onset and the progression of his lung condition. Jurors were not convinced by the defense experts' testimony that the locomotive engineer's lung condition could have a different cause.
Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Sierra Club also successfully filed a lawsuit against BNSF Railroad over its coal trains. Every time a train passes through the Gorge it pollutes the sensitive habitats for wildlife and plants, tributary streams, wetlands, and the Columbia River with coal dust and debris. BNSF has announced that it will stop bringing coal through the Gorge and in other locations.
Asbestos
Railroad workers have long been exposed to dangerous chemicals. While asbestos has been mostly removed from the workplace, a variety of toxic substances are still. Chemical solvents have been proven to cause asthma and respiratory ailments. Railroad employees can sue their employers to recover damages.
In one instance, the jury found that a locomotive engineer aged 61 suffered from diesel asthma due to his work on railroads. This condition led him to be on medical leave and lost wages. He also underwent two back surgeries including the multilevel lumbar spine fuse. All of this added up to significant medical expenses.
He claimed that he was constantly exposed to diesel exhaust fumes and strong odors. He also said he was exposed to silica particles as well as chemical compounds, spray paints and black smoke. His chest tightened and throat hurt. He also had difficulty swallowing. He was suffering from bronchitis and allergies too.
The railroads won the argument that release of the plaintiff in 1996 should not be barred from his new suit because they knew of the risk when exposed to asbestos. Hughes Law Offices argued that the statute should be tolled up until the plaintiff is diagnosed with cancer, to allow him time to seek medical care and determine if his disease is linked to his work.
Poor Ventilation
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with lung cancer, lung diseases, mesothelioma or any other type of cancers that could be linked to working in the railroad industry, you might be entitled to file an action under FELA against the corporation that employed you. FELA lawsuits may provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and suffering and pain. Contact a Houston FELA lawyer today to discuss your case.
A jury has awarded an ex- Conrail engineer $2.6 million in his occupational illness trial after finding that the retired engineer's asthma-related problems were caused by the constant exposure to diesel exhaust fumes during working with locomotives at rail yards. The plaintiff's attorneys argued that the railroad was unable to stop this type of exposure by not putting in proper ventilation in the locomotive cabs.
In Bladder cancer lawsuit to the diesel fumes that railroad workers breathe, they frequently come into contact with toxic chemicals and other harmful substances during their work. cancer lawsuit , benzene, and other carcinogens are frequently found in railroad maintenance and construction materials. These dangerous materials can cause various types of cancers and serious health issues like asthma.
If you have asthma that is the result of your job on the railroad or if you have family members who have been diagnosed with cancer that may be connected to the rail industry and you should consult a Houston FELA lawyer can help you make your employer accountable for their negligence. Contacting an experienced attorney immediately will increase your chances of obtaining the financial compensation you're entitled to for your injuries and losses.