FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Railroad workers who are exposed to toxic chemicals such as diesel exhaust fumes, coal vapors, benzene or asbestos are at risk of developing serious illness, including cancer. Bladder cancer lawsuit could provide compensation for medical expenses, loss of income discomfort and more.
Union Pacific recently awarded $7.5 Million to one of its railroad workers who was diagnosed with Leukemia. This is just one example of how the justice system is standing up for the victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to hazardous materials and chemical solvents like benzene. Benzene, a liquid that is highly evaporative is absorbed through the skin or inhaled. It has been linked to a variety of medical conditions, including cancer, blood-related cancers such as leukemia and Lymphoma, and bone-marrow diseases. It is also a cancer-causing chemical and is a component of coal tar creosote that is used to shield railroad tie from heat, sunlight and rain.
A former railroad worker claimed that exposure to benzene during his work with coal tar creosote on railroad ties led to Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), that progressed to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A jury awarded the man $7.5 million in September the year before.
People who have been diagnosed as having cancer or other chronic illnesses due to daily exposure to benzene asbestos radioactive substances and other toxic chemicals, have the right to claim compensation under FELA. The statute of limitations may vary based on the type and degree of cancer or illness. It is essential to consult with an experienced attorney immediately.
A railroad attorney at Shaw Cowart can help you determine whether your case is a valid FELA claim. We provide free consultations and are conversant with FELA as well as railroad workplaces and the dangerous cancer-causing substances many railroad employees are exposed to on a daily basis.
union pacific railroad lawsuit 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 railway cars that contained asbestos insulation. This type of asbestos is particularly hazardous because, when it deteriorates tiny fibers are released into air. These fibers can be inhaled by railroad workers and cause mesothelioma along with other asbestos-related health conditions such as lung cancer, asbestosis as well as pleural plaques and fibrosis.
Railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases due to diesel exhaust, silica sand, and welding fumes. These fumes can cause harm to the kidneys, lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. These injuries are often identified years after a worker's initial exposure, and can lead to various severe and debilitating medical conditions.
Recent case against Conrail illustrates the risks associated with this kind of work. The Appeals Court upheld a jury award of $2.3 million to Conrail, a railroad company, for an employee of the railroad who died of mesothelioma. The jury awarded damages for his pain and suffering, loss of companionship, future medical expenses and other expenses. The case highlights the importance of working with an experienced attorney who can quickly determine whether a FELA claim is warranted.
Radioactive Substances
Railroad workers who have been exposed to radioactive substances are at risk for developing certain types of cancers and other serious ailments. The substances are usually hidden in the materials that railroads employ to clean tracks and other rail yards. union pacific railroad lawsuit can be difficult to identify unless the railroad company is actively screening them for alpha or gamma radiation. If a railroad worker is diagnosed with cancer or another illness due to exposure to carcinogenic substances on the job, they are able to make an FELA claim and receive compensation from their former employer.
Railroad workers are more prone than other workers to develop cancer. They are constantly exposed the toxins that can cause lung cancer. They are exposed to asbestos, silica (silica) as well as welding fumes and diesel.
A railroad lawyer is recommended to be consulted as soon as is possible by railroad employees who have been diagnosed as having cancer due to exposure to radiation while working. They can help them determine whether there is a legal claim against the former employer and file the appropriate lawsuits based on FELA. These claims could include the payment of medical expenses, loss of income, pain and discomfort. They also can compensate for the loss of a loved one as an wrongful-death case. An experienced railroad lawyer can help victims get the full amount of damages that they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Engineers, conductors and train crew members work in hazardous environments where they can damage their lungs without even realizing. If a former railroad worker has contracted an illness, such as lung cancer or a different condition that could be related to their work, they may be able to seek compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
As opposed to workers' compensation FELA permits railroad employees who have been injured to file a lawsuit. This includes future and past emotional and medical expenses. A lawyer familiar with the regulations under FELA could provide you with options to file.
To be successful in a FELA claim you must show that your employer was negligent. The definition of negligence can be as simple as breaking a law or rule, failing to meet an acceptable standard of care, and many more. A FELA lawyer can look over your case and determine if railroad negligence contributed to your condition.
A variety of lung diseases and illnesses can be attributed to exposures from railroads. If you were exposed to diesel exhaust, asbestos, creosote or any other toxic substances during your career on the railway, a reputable mesothelioma lawyer can help you file for compensation under FELA. Hughes Law Offices has handled FELA cases in the past and have resulted a variety of verdicts and settlements.