FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Railroad workers exposed to toxic chemicals like coal fumes diesel exhaust benzene or asbestos are at risk of developing serious illness such as 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 their railroad workers who developed Leukemia. This is just one example of the justice system standing up for victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers often work with chemical solvents and other hazardous substances, like benzene. The liquid, which is extremely evaporative is absorbed by the skin or inhaled. It has been linked with a variety of medical conditions, including cancer, blood cancers like lymphoma and leukemia, as well as bone marrow disease. It is also a cancer-causing chemical and a constituent in coal tar creosote. It is used to shield railroad ties from sunlight, heat and rain.
A former railroad worker claimed that exposure to benzene while working with coal-tar creosote in order to make railroad ties, led to Myelodysplastic Syndrome. This progressed to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A jury awarded him $7.5 million last September.
Anyone diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses that result from exposure to benzene, asbestos, radioactive substances and other hazardous chemicals are able to seek compensation under FELA. Depending on the type of cancer or illness, the statute of limitations may vary, so it is important to speak with a skilled lawyer as soon as you can.
A railroad attorney at Shaw Cowart can help you determine if your case is a valid FELA claim. Leukemia lawsuit offer no-cost consultations and are familiar 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 and other illnesses caused by asbestos exposure. cancer lawsuits worked in places like repair shops, engine room and yards, as well as on track equipment or rail cars that contained asbestos insulation. This type of asbestos can be particularly dangerous, because when it is degraded, tiny fibers are released in the air. These fibers are inhaled by railway workers and may cause mesothelioma and lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural plaque.
In addition to asbestos, railroad workers are also at risk of developing lung ailments due to diesel exhaust as well as exposure to other workplace toxins such as solvents, welding fumes and silica sand. These fumes and particles can cause damage to the kidneys, lungs and gastrointestinal tract as well as blood cells. union pacific railroad lawsuit can be diagnosed years after the initial exposure and can result in a variety serious and debilitating diseases.
Bladder cancer lawsuit involving Conrail exposes the dangers of this kind of work. The Appeals Court has upheld a jury verdict of $2.3million against Conrail in the case of a former railway worker who passed away from mesothelioma. A jury awarded damages to compensate for the pain and suffering along with companionship loss, future medical expenses, and other losses. The case underscores the importance of working with an experienced attorney who can quickly evaluate whether an FELA claim is warranted.
Radioactive Substances
Railroad workers who are exposed to radioactive substances are at risk for developing certain types of cancers and other serious diseases. These substances are usually hidden in the materials used by railroads to clean tracks and other rail yards. It is often difficult to identify them unless the railroad's business actively tests for Gamma and Alpha radiation. If a railroad employee develops cancer or another disease caused by exposure to carcinogenic chemicals during their work, they is able to make a FELA and receive compensation from the company he worked for previously.
Railroad workers are more prone than other people to develop cancer. They are continuously exposed to chemicals that can cause lung cancer. This includes asbestos, Sand (silica) as well as diesel fumes or welding fumes.
Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer as the result of exposure to radiation on the job should consult an attorney from the railroad as soon as possible. They can help them determine if there is a claim against the former employer and initiate the appropriate lawsuits based on FELA. These claims could include compensation for medical expenses loss of income, pain and discomfort. In addition, they could pay for the loss of a loved one as part of a wrongful death case. A skilled railroad attorney can assist victims receive the full amount of compensation they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Railroad workers like engineers, conductors, and members of train crews frequently work in dangerous environments which can cause lung damage without even realizing it. If a former railroad employee has developed an illness like lung cancer or a different condition that could have been related to their job, they may be able to claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
In contrast to workers' compensation, FELA allows railroad employees who are injured to file a lawsuit. This includes future and past emotional and medical expenses. union pacific railroad lawsuit of FELA regulations can explain to you your options.
In order to prevail in a FELA claim you must show that your employer acted negligently. It could be a matter of breaking a law or rule and not observing the reasonable standards of care and more. A competent FELA lawyer will review your case to determine whether negligence on the part of the railroad was a factor in the triggering of your illness.
Railroad exposure can cause a variety of lung illnesses. If you were exposed during your railroad career to diesel exhaust or other toxins such as asbestos, creosote, or creosote, a mesothelioma lawyer will assist you in filing an application for compensation under the FELA. Hughes Law Offices has handled FELA cases in the past, and have resulted in various settlements and verdicts.