Railroad Lawsuits and Asthma
Railroad workers often are exposed to toxic fumes and chemicals such as creosote, silica asbestos, and creosote. These exposures can lead to lung diseases, such as asthma.
Fortunately, victims are able to recover compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). A reputable railroad lawsuit asthma lawyer can help. Here are a few examples of settlements and verdicts.
Diesel Exhaust
Since trains run on diesel fuel, railroad workers are exposed variety of diesel fumes through the day. These fumes comprise a mix of tiny soot particles, gasses, and other harmful chemicals that can cause serious health issues. cancer lawsuits to these fumes can cause asthma and other lung diseases.
Railroads have been aware of the dangers of exposure to diesel exhaust for decades. However, many companies have not taken adequate steps to protect their employees. Some railroad workers have developed respiratory illnesses that are debilitating.
Exposure to diesel fumes, when coupled with other workplace hazards such as asbestos, creosote and even silica can cause life-altering lung conditions, such as asthma. These conditions can prevent railroad workers from returning to their jobs and may reduce the quality of their lives.
In one instance, our lawyers successfully defended the defense of a FELA lawsuit brought by a locomotive engineer who claimed he contracted leukemia and other cancers because of his exposure to toxic chemicals and diesel fumes while working on railroad equipment. The court granted summary judgement for the railroads that were defendants, and ruled that Plaintiff did not make a reasonably diligent search for information about his illness at the time of diagnosis and that his claims were not time-barred.
Bladder cancer lawsuit are exposed to different dusts, including silica dust from ballast and coal dust. union pacific railroad lawsuit can also be exposed to petroleum or chemical fuels. These toxic substances pose a threat to the health of workers and can lead to respiratory diseases like asthma.
Our FELA attorney has helped many people seek compensation for exposure to these substances. FELA allows those suffering from certain diseases to hold their employers accountable for not protecting them from dangerous workplaces.
For instance an Montana jury handed down $3.7 million to a former engineer of the locomotive who suffered from the condition known as pulmonary fibrosis. It is a progressive lung disease that is caused due to scarring of the lung tissue. In his FELA claim, it was claimed that breathing diesel fumes hundreds or perhaps thousands of times, contributed to the onset and the progression of his lung condition. The testimony of the experts for the defense did not convince jurors that the locomotive engineer’s lung disease was due to another cause.
Similar to this, Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Sierra Club successfully sued BNSF railroad over its coal trains. Each time a train travels through the Gorge it pollutes habitats for wildlife and plants, tributary streams, wetlands, and the Columbia River with coal dust and debris. As a result of this lawsuit, BNSF will stop transporting coal through the Gorge and other locations.
Asbestos
Rail workers have been exposed chemicals for a lengthy period. While asbestos has been mostly eliminated from the workplace, a variety of toxic substances are still. Chemical solvents, for instance, have been known to cause asthma and respiratory diseases. This is why railroad workers could file lawsuits to recover damages from the companies who hired them.
In one instance, the jury found that a 61-year-old locomotive engineer was suffering from diesel asthma due to his railroad work. The condition forced him to take medical leave, which resulted in lost earnings. He also required two back surgeries, including the multi-level lumbar spine fusion, all of which added up to a significant amount of medical expenses.
He said his body was constantly exposed to diesel exhaust fumes as well as strong odors. union pacific railroad lawsuit stated that his body was constantly exposed silica particles chemical compounds, spray paints and black smoke. His chest tightened up, his throat hurt and he experienced difficulties swallowing. He also suffered from allergies and chronic bronchitis.
The railroads successfully argued the releases the plaintiff signed in 1996 should be void for his new suit because he was aware of the danger at the time he was exposed to asbestos. Hughes Law Offices argued that the statute should be enacted until the plaintiff is diagnosed with cancer in order to allow him time to seek medical care and determine if his illness is connected to his job.
Poor Ventilation
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with lung cancer mesothelioma, lung diseases or any other type of cancer that could be connected to work in the railroad industry, then you may be able to file an action under FELA against the corporation which employed you. FELA lawsuits could award compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, suffering and pain, as well as other damages. Contact a Houston FELA attorney today to discuss your case.
A jury awarded a former Conrail engineer $2.6 million in his occupational health trial after determining that the retiree's asthma-related problems were caused by his nearly constant exposure to diesel exhaust fumes while working on locomotives at rail yards. The lawyers representing the plaintiffs argued that railroads failed to protect themselves from exposure by not providing adequate ventilation in locomotive cabs.
Railroad workers are exposed to toxic chemicals, as well as diesel fumes. Asbestos, benzene, as well as other carcinogens are frequently found in construction and maintenance materials. Sadly, these harmful substances can cause a myriad of cancers and other serious health conditions, including pulmonary disorders such as asthma.
A Houston FELA attorney can help you to hold an employer accountable for their negligence If you suffer from asthma due to your railroad work, or if your loved ones have been diagnosed with a cancer that may be linked to rail industry. Contacting an experienced attorney immediately can help you maximize your chances of receiving the financial compensation you are entitled to for your pain and suffering.