FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Workers who are exposed to toxic chemicals, such as diesel exhaust, coal fumes or asbestos may develop serious illnesses, including cancer. A successful FELA claim could provide compensation for medical expenses, income loss 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 instance of the justice system standing up for victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers frequently work with chemical solvents, as well as other hazardous substances, like benzene. The evaporation rate of benzene is high. liquid that can be absorbed by the skin or inhaled. It has been linked to a variety of medical ailments, including cancer, blood cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia, as well as bone marrow diseases. It is also a substance that causes cancer and a constituent in coal tar creosote which is used to shield railroad ties from heat, sunlight and rain.
A former rail worker claimed that exposure to benzene, while working with coal-tar creosote to create railroad ties, contributed to Myelodysplastic Syndrome. This progressed to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A jury gave him $7.5 million last September.
Anyone diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses resulting from exposure to benzene, asbestos, radioactive substances and other dangerous chemicals can make a claim for compensation under FELA. Depending on the kind of cancer or illness the time limit for filing a claim may vary, so it is crucial 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 eligible for a FELA claim. We provide free consultations, and we are knowledgeable about FELA and railroad workplaces.
Asbestos
Our lawyers have represented railroad employees who developed lung cancer or other health conditions as a result of asbestos exposure. They were often employed in areas like repair shops, engine rooms and yards as well as on rail cars that were damaged or track equipment that had asbestos insulation that was becoming degraded. This type of asbestos could be particularly hazardous, since when it degrades, tiny fibers are released into the air. The fibers are breathed in by railroad employees and can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural plaque.
Railroad workers are at risk of developing lung disease due to diesel exhaust, silica sand, and welding fumes. These fumes can cause harm to the lungs, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. These injuries are usually discovered many years after an employee's initial exposure and can result in many severe and debilitating medical conditions.
A recent case against Conrail exposes the dangers associated with this kind of work. The Appeals Court has upheld a jury verdict of $2.3million against Conrail in respect of an ex-railway worker who died from mesothelioma. A jury awarded damages to cover pain and suffering, companionship loss, future medical expenses, and other losses. This case emphasizes the importance of working closely with an experienced attorney who can quickly determine whether an FELA claim is justified.
Radioactive Substances
Railroad workers who have been exposed to radioactive substances are at risk for developing certain types of cancers as well as other serious diseases. They are often concealed in the materials used by railroads to clean tracks and other rail yards. It is often difficult to detect them unless the railroad's company screens for alpha and Gamma radiation. If a railway worker develops cancer or another ailment caused by exposure to carcinogenic substances on the job, he can submit an FELA and receive compensation from the company he worked for previously.
Research has shown that railroad workers are more likely to develop various types of cancer than other people. This is because they are constantly exposed to toxins that can cause lung cancer, including asbestos dust, Sand dust (silica), diesel fumes, welding fumes, and creosote.
Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer as the consequence of exposure to the workplace should speak to a lawyer for railroads as quickly as possible. They can help them determine whether they have a legal claim against their former employers and make the appropriate lawsuits under FELA. These claims can include the payment of medical expenses and income loss as well as pain and suffering. In addition, they could pay for the loss of a loved one in a wrongful death case. An experienced railroad attorney can help victims receive the maximum amount of compensation they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Conductors, engineers, and train crew members work in dangerous environments that can cause damage to their lungs without even realizing. Former railroad workers who develop lung cancer or other conditions that may have been due to their work may seek compensation under Federal Employers Liability (FELA).
Unlike workers' compensation claims, FELA allows injured railroad employees and the families of deceased employees to file lawsuits for damages that include past and future emotional and medical costs. A lawyer familiar with rules under FELA will be able to explain your options for filing.
In order to win a FELA lawsuit, you will need to prove that the employer acted negligently in a way. Negligence can include breaking a rule or law and not meeting the acceptable standards of care, or any other. A knowledgeable FELA lawyer will review your case to determine whether the railroad's negligence was a factor in the triggering of your illness.
union pacific railroad lawsuit can trigger a variety of lung illnesses. If you were exposed in your railroad career to diesel exhaust or other toxic substances like asbestos, creosote, or creosote mesothelioma lawyers can assist you in filing an application for compensation under the FELA. The FELA cases handled by Hughes Law Offices in the past have resulted into a variety of verdicts and settlements.