FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Railroad workers who are exposed to toxic chemicals, such as diesel exhaust benzene, coal fumes or asbestos are at risk of developing a serious illness like cancer. A successful FELA claim could award damages that will cover medical expenses, income loss 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 how the justice system defends for the victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers are often exposed to chemical solvents as well as other hazardous substances, such as benzene. Benzene is a highly evaporative liquid that can be absorbed by the skin or inhaled. It has been linked to a variety of medical illnesses, including cancer, blood cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia, as well as bone marrow diseases. It is also a cancer-causing agent and a component of coal tar creosote. It's used to shield railroad ties from heat, sunlight, rain and snow.
A former railroad worker claimed that exposure to benzene, while working with coal-tar creosote to create railroad ties, lead to Myelodysplastic Syndrome. This progressed to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A jury gave him $7.5 million last September.
Those who have been diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses resulting from exposure to asbestos, benzene radioactive substances, benzene and other hazardous chemicals can make a claim for compensation under FELA. The statute of limitations may vary depending on the type and extent of the cancer or illness. It is imperative to consult an experienced attorney immediately.
Shaw Cowart's railroad attorneys can assist you in determining whether your case is a candidate for a FELA lawsuit. We provide no-cost consultations and are familiar with FELA, railroad workplaces and the harmful cancer-causing chemicals that railroad workers face on a daily basis.
Asbestos
Our lawyers have represented railroad workers who developed lung cancer or other health conditions due to asbestos exposure. They frequently worked in areas like repair shops, engine rooms, and yards and on rail cars that had been damaged or track equipment that contained asbestos insulation that was becoming degraded. This type of asbestos could be particularly dangerous, because when it is degraded, tiny fibers are released into the air. These fibers can be inhaled by workers on railroads and cause mesothelioma along with other asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaque and fibrosis.
Railroad workers are at the risk of developing lung cancer from diesel exhaust, silica sand and welding fumes. These fumes can cause harm to the lungs, kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract. These injuries are often discovered years after a worker's initial exposure and can lead to various serious and debilitating medical conditions.
Recent case against Conrail highlights the dangers associated with this type of work. The Appeals Court has upheld a jury verdict of $2.3million against the railroad company in respect of a former railway worker who died of mesothelioma. The jury awarded damages for suffering and pain, as well as loss of companionship, future medical expenses and other losses. This case highlights the importance of working closely with an experienced attorney that will quickly determine if the FELA claim is legitimate.
Radioactive Substances
Railroad workers who are exposed to radioactive substances are at risk of developing certain types of cancers and other serious diseases. These substances are often hidden in the materials railroads use to clean tracks and other rail yards. It can be difficult to identify them unless the railroad company actively checks for alpha and Gamma radiation. If a railroad worker is diagnosed with cancer or a different illness that was caused by exposure to carcinogenic substances on the job, they are able to make an FELA claim and receive compensation from their former employer.
Research has shown that railway workers are more likely to develop a variety of cancers than other people. They are constantly exposed to the toxins that can cause lung cancer. This includes asbestos, sand (silica) as well as welding fumes or diesel fumes.
Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer as a result of exposure to radiation on the job should speak to a lawyer for railroads as quickly as possible. They can help them determine whether they have a right to claim against their former employers and submit the appropriate lawsuits under FELA. These claims can include the payment of medical expenses, income loss, and pain and discomfort. They also can compensate for the death of a loved one as an wrongful-death case. An experienced railroad lawyer will assist victims to receive the full amount of damages they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Engineers, conductors and train crew members work in dangerous situations where they may damage their lungs, without even realizing it. If a former railroad worker has been diagnosed with an illness such as lung cancer or another illness that could be related to their work and work, they could be eligible to seek compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
As opposed to workers' compensation claims, FELA allows injured railroad employees and their families of deceased employees to file lawsuits for damages that include past and future emotional suffering and medical expenses. class action lawsuit against union pacific railroad who is familiar with rules under FELA could provide you with options to file.
To prevail in a FELA lawsuit, you'll need to prove that the employer acted in a negligent way. It could be a matter of breaking a rule or law, failing to meet the acceptable standards of care, and much more. A competent FELA lawyer could review your case to determine whether negligence by the railroad caused your condition.
Railroad exposure can lead to a variety of lung diseases. If you were exposed during your railroad work to diesel exhaust or other toxins, such as asbestos, creosote, or creosote, a mesothelioma lawyer will help you file claims for compensation under the FELA. The FELA cases handled by Hughes Law Offices have resulted in a variety of settlements and verdicts.
