FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Railroad workers exposed to harmful chemicals such as diesel exhaust benzene, coal fumes or asbestos are at risk of developing serious illness including cancer. A successful FELA claim can award damages to compensate for medical expenses, lost income, suffering and pain.
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 the victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to hazardous materials and chemical solvents, such as benzene. The evaporation rate of benzene is high. liquid that can be absorbed by the skin or inhaled. It has been linked to a number of medical diseases, such as blood cancers, cancers of the blood like leukemia and lymphoma as well as bone marrow diseases. It can also be a cancer-causing agent and a component in coal tar creosote. It is used to shield railroad ties from sunlight, heat and rain.
A former railway worker claimed that exposure to benzene while working with coal-tar creosote create railroad ties, contributed to Myelodysplastic Syndrome. This progressed to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A jury handed the man $7.5 million in September of last year.
People who have been diagnosed as having cancer or other chronic illnesses because of exposure to benzene asbestos radioactive substances and other toxic chemicals, have the right to claim compensation under FELA. Depending on the type of cancer or illness the time limit for filing a claim can vary, which is why it is crucial to speak with a skilled lawyer as soon as possible.
A railroad attorney at Shaw Cowart can help you determine if your case is a valid FELA claim. We offer free consultations and are well-versed with FELA railway workplaces, FELA and the dangerous cancer-causing substances many railroad employees face every day.
union pacific railroad lawsuit have represented railroad workers who were diagnosed with lung cancer and other illnesses due to asbestos exposure. They were often employed in areas such as repair shops, engine rooms, and yards and on rail cars that had been damaged or track equipment with asbestos insulation that was deteriorating. This type of asbestos is particularly hazardous because, when it gets deteriorated tiny fibers are released into air. The fibers can be breathed in by railroad workers and cause mesothelioma, as well as other asbestos-related diseases such as lung cancer, asbestosis as well as pleural plaques and fibrosis.
In addition to asbestos railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases from diesel exhaust and exposure to other workplace toxins such as solvents, welding fumes and silica sand. These fumes can cause harm to the lungs, kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract. These injuries are often discovered after years of exposure and can result in a variety of grave and debilitating health conditions.
A recent case against Conrail exposes the dangers of this type of work. The Appeals Court has upheld a jury verdict of $2.3million against Conrail in the case of a former railway worker who was diagnosed with mesothelioma. A jury awarded damages for suffering and suffering, loss of companionship, future medical costs and other expenses. The case underscores the importance to work with an experienced attorney who can quickly evaluate whether a FELA claim is justified.
Radioactive Substances
Workers exposed to radioactive substances might develop cancers or serious illnesses. These substances are often hidden in the materials that railroads use to clean track and other rail yards. It is often difficult to recognize them unless the railroad's business actively screens for alpha and Gamma radiation. If a railroad worker develops cancer or another ailment caused through exposure to carcinogenic substances on the job, he may submit an FELA and receive compensation from the former employer.
Studies have shown that workers in the railroad industry are more likely to develop a variety of cancers than other people. This is because they are constantly exposed to chemicals that can lead to lung cancer, like asbestos as well as the sand dust (silica) as well as welding fumes, diesel fumes and creosote.
Railroad employees who have been diagnosed with cancer as the result of exposure on the job should consult a railroad lawyer as soon as is possible. They can help them determine if they have a claim against their former employers and file the appropriate lawsuits under FELA. These lawsuits can cover compensation for medical costs as well as loss of income and suffering and pain. They may also seek compensation for the loss of a loved one in the case of wrongful death. A knowledgeable railroad attorney can assist victims receive the full amount of damages they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Engineers, conductors and train crew members work in dangerous environments where they could damage their lungs without realizing it. Former railroad workers who developed lung cancer or other conditions that may have been caused by their job may apply for compensation under Federal Employers Liability (FELA).
Unlike workers' compensation claims, FELA allows injured railroad employees and the families of deceased employees to pursue claims for damages, including future and past emotional suffering and medical expenses. A lawyer familiar with rules under FELA could explain your options for filing.
In order to be successful in a FELA claim you must prove that your employer acted negligently. It could be a matter of breaking a rule or law and not meeting the acceptable standards of care, and many more. A skilled FELA lawyer can evaluate your case to determine if the railroad's negligence played a role in causing your condition.
cancer lawsuit can trigger a variety of lung illnesses. If cancer lawsuit were exposed to asbestos, diesel exhaust, creosote, or other toxins during your career on the railroad and you are a mesothelioma patient, a certified attorney will assist you in claiming compensation under FELA. The FELA cases handled by Hughes Law Offices have resulted in a range of settlements and verdicts.