FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Railroad workers exposed to harmful chemicals such as diesel exhaust fumes, coal vapors, benzene or asbestos are at risk of developing serious illness including cancer. A successful FELA claim could be awarded damages to cover medical expenses loss of income pain and suffering, among other things.
Union Pacific recently awarded $7.5 Million to a railroad worker who developed Leukemia. This is only one example of the justice system standing up for victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers often work with chemical solvents, as well as other hazardous materials, including benzene. blacklands railroad lawsuit is a highly evaporative liquid is absorbed by the skin or inhaled. It is associated with a number medical conditions including cancer blood-related cancers, such as Lymphoma and leukemia, as well as bone-marrow diseases. It is also a cancer-causing agent and part of coal tar creosote, a substance used to protect railroad tieways from heat, sunlight, rain and snow.
A former rail worker claimed that his exposure to benzene working with coal-tar creosote to create railroad ties, contributed to Myelodysplastic Syndrome. This progressed to Acute Myeloid leukemia. A jury awarded the man $7.5 million in September last year.
People who have been diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses resulting from exposure to benzene, asbestos radioactive substances and other harmful chemicals have the right to seek compensation under FELA. The time limit for filing a claim can vary based on the type and extent of the cancer or disease. It is crucial to seek out an experienced lawyer whenever you can.
A railroad lawyer at Shaw Cowart can help you determine whether your case is a valid FELA claim. We provide free consultations and are well-versed with FELA railway workplaces, FELA and the dangerous cancer-causing substances many railroad employees face on a daily basis.
Asbestos
Our attorneys have represented railroad workers who were diagnosed with lung cancer and other illnesses caused by asbestos exposure. They worked in areas like repair shops, engine rooms and yards, as well as on track equipment or derailed rail cars with asbestos insulation. This type of asbestos could be particularly dangerous, because when it gets degraded, tiny fibres are released into the air. These fibers are inhaled by railroad employees and can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer asbestosis and pleural plaque.
Railroad workers are at the risk of developing lung cancer due to diesel exhaust, silica sand and welding fumes. These fumes can cause damage to the kidneys, lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. These injuries can be detected many years after the initial exposure and can cause to debilitating and serious conditions.
A recent case against Conrail highlights the risks associated with this type of work. The Appeals Court has upheld a jury verdict of $2.3million against Conrail, the railroad company, in respect of a former railway worker who died from mesothelioma. A jury awarded damages for suffering and pain, as well as loss of companionship, future medical costs and other losses. The case underscores the importance of working with an experienced attorney who is able to quickly assess whether a FELA claim is legitimate.
Radioactive Substances
Railroad workers who have been exposed to radioactive substances are at risk for developing certain types of cancers and other serious illnesses. These substances are often hidden in the materials used by railroads to clean tracks and other rail yards. It is often difficult to recognize them unless the railroad's company checks for alpha and Gamma radiation. If a railroad worker is diagnosed with cancer or another disease caused through exposure to carcinogenic substances at work, he could make a FELA and receive compensation from the company he worked for previously.
Railroad workers are more prone than others to develop cancers. They are constantly exposed toxins which can cause lung cancer. This includes asbestos or the mineral sand (silica) and diesel fumes or welding fumes.
Railroad employees who have been diagnosed with cancer as a result of on-the-job exposure should speak to a lawyer for railroads as quickly as is possible. They can help them determine whether there is a legal claim against the former employer and initiate the appropriate lawsuits that are based on FELA. These claims may include compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, and discomfort and pain. They can also compensate for the death of a loved in the event of wrongful death. A skilled railroad lawyer can assist victims receive the full amount of damages they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Railroad workers such as engineers, conductors and other members of the train crew frequently work in dangerous environments that can damage lungs without realizing it. If a former railroad worker 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 claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
As opposed to workers' compensation claims, FELA allows injured railroad employees and families of deceased employees to seek damages for past and future emotional suffering and medical expenses. An attorney familiar with FELA regulations can tell you your options.
To prevail in a FELA lawsuit, you'll be required to prove that your employer acted negligently in a way. The definition of negligence can be as simple as breaking a rule or law and not meeting the acceptable standards of care, and many more. A knowledgeable FELA lawyer could review your case to determine whether negligence on the part of the railroad played a role in causing your illness.
Railroad exposure can cause variety of lung illnesses. If you were exposed in your railroad career to diesel exhaust or other toxins such as asbestos, creosote, or creosote mesothelioma lawyers can help you file an action for compensation under the FELA. Hughes Law Offices has handled FELA cases in the past, and they have resulted a variety of verdicts and settlements.