FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Railroad workers who are exposed to harmful chemicals such as diesel exhaust benzene, coal fumes or asbestos are at risk of developing serious illness including cancer. Bladder cancer lawsuit can be awarded damages to cover medical expenses, income loss pain and suffering, among other things.
A railroad worker who contracted leukemia was recently awarded $7.5 million from Union Pacific. This is only one example of the justice system standing up for the victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers are often exposed to dangerous substances and chemical solvents, which include benzene. cancer lawsuit of benzene is high. liquid that can be absorbed by the skin or inhaled. It has been linked to a number of medical ailments, including blood cancers, cancers of the blood like lymphoma and leukemia, as well as bone marrow diseases. It is also a cancer-causing chemical and a constituent in coal tar creosote. It is used to shield railroad ties from heat, sunlight and rain.
A former railroad worker claimed his exposure to benzene during his work with coal tar creosote railroad ties resulted in Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), which eventually developed into 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 hazardous chemicals are able to submit a claim for compensation under FELA. Based on the type of cancer or illness the statute of limitations could differ, so it is important to speak with a skilled lawyer as soon as possible.
A railroad attorney from Shaw Cowart can help you determine if your case is a valid FELA claim. We offer free consultations and we are knowledgeable about FELA and railroad workplaces.
Asbestos
Our attorneys have represented railroad workers who contracted lung cancer and other illnesses due to asbestos exposure. They often worked in areas such as repair shops, engine rooms and yards as well as on rail cars that were damaged or track equipment with deteriorating asbestos insulation. This type of asbestos is especially dangerous because, when it gets deteriorated tiny fibers are released into the air. These fibers can be inhaled by workers on railroads and cause mesothelioma along with other asbestos-related illnesses including lung cancer, asbestosis as well as pleural plaques and fibrosis.
Railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases from diesel exhaust, silicasand, and welding fumes. The particles and fumes that are emitted from these workplaces can damage the lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract and blood cells. These injuries are often diagnosed after years of exposure and can cause many serious and debilitating medical conditions.
A recent case against Conrail highlights the dangers of this kind of work. The Appeals Court upheld a jury award of $2.3 million to Conrail, a railroad company, for an ex-railway worker who died of mesothelioma. The jury awarded damages to cover suffering and pain as well as companionship loss, future medical expenses, and other losses. This case illustrates the importance of working closely with an experienced attorney that can quickly determine if a FELA claim is warranted.
Radioactive Substances
People exposed to radioactive substances could develop cancer or other serious diseases. cancer lawsuit are typically hidden in the materials that railroads employ to clean tracks and other rail yards. They can be difficult to spot unless the railroad company is testing them for alpha and Gamma radiation. If a railroad worker is diagnosed with cancer or suffers from another illness triggered by exposure to carcinogenic chemicals during their work, they could file an FELA and receive compensation from his former employer.
Research has revealed that railroad workers are much more likely to develop various types of cancer than other people. This is because they are constantly exposed to chemicals that can lead to lung cancer, including asbestos dust, sand dust (silica) as well as welding fumes, diesel fumes and creosote.
Railroad employees who have been diagnosed with cancer as the consequence of exposure to the workplace should speak to an attorney from the railroad as soon as is possible. They can help them determine whether they have a claim against their former employers and submit the appropriate lawsuits under FELA. These claims could include compensation for medical expenses and income loss as well as suffering and pain. They may also seek compensation for the loss of a loved one in the case of wrongful death. An experienced railroad attorney can help victims get the maximum amount of the damages they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Engineers, conductors and train crew members work in hazardous environments that can cause damage to their lungs without realizing it. If a former railroad employee has been diagnosed with an illness such as lung cancer or a different condition that could be related to their work or work, they may be eligible to seek compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
Contrary to claims for workers' compensation, FELA allows injured railroad employees and families of deceased employees to sue for damages including future and past emotional and medical costs. A lawyer who is familiar with regulations under FELA can explain your options for filing.
To be successful in a FELA claim you must show that your employer was negligent. It could be a matter of breaking a rule or law, failing to meet an acceptable standard of care, and much more. A skilled FELA lawyer will review your case to determine if the railroad's negligence contributed to your condition.
Many different lung diseases and illnesses can be linked to exposures to the railroad. If Leukemia lawsuit were exposed during your railroad work to diesel exhaust or other toxins like creosote or asbestos creosote, a mesothelioma lawyer could assist you in filing claims for compensation under the FELA. Hughes Law Offices has handled FELA cases in the past, and they have resulted in a variety settlements and verdicts.