FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Railroad workers exposed to toxic chemicals, such as coal fumes diesel exhaust benzene or asbestos are at risk of developing a serious illness like cancer. A successful FELA claim can award damages to compensate for medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering.
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 often work with chemical solvents, as well as other hazardous substances, such as benzene. It is a highly evaporated 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 leukemia and lymphoma as well as bone marrow disease. It is also a carcinogen, and an ingredient in coal tar creosote, which is used to shield railroad tracks from heat, sunlight rain, and snow.
A former rail worker claimed that his exposure to benzene working with coal-tar creosote in order to create railroad ties, lead to Myelodysplastic Syndrome. This progressed to Acute Myeloid leukemia. A jury gave him $7.5 million in September.
If you've been diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses that result from daily exposure to asbestos, benzene radioactive substances and other harmful chemicals have the right to seek compensation under FELA. The time period for filing claims can vary depending on the type and severity of the cancer or disease. It is important to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as you can.
Shaw Cowart's railroad lawyers will help you determine if your case is suitable to be an FELA lawsuit. We offer no-cost consultations, and we're familiar with FELA and railroad workplaces.
Asbestos
Our attorneys have represented railroad employees who contracted lung cancer or other health conditions as a result of asbestos exposure. Leukemia lawsuit worked in places like repair shops, engine rooms and yards, as well as on track equipment or derailed railway cars that contained asbestos insulation. This type of asbestos can be particularly dangerous, because when it is degraded, tiny fibers are released in the air. These fibers are inhaled by railroad workers and can cause mesothelioma along with other asbestos-related health issues such as lung cancer, asbestosis as well as pleural plaques and fibrosis.
Railroad workers are at the risk of developing lung disease from diesel exhaust, silicasand, and welding fumes. These particles and fumes could harm the kidneys, lungs and gastrointestinal tract, as well as blood cells. These injuries are often discovered after years of exposure and can lead to various severe and debilitating medical conditions.
A recent case involving Conrail highlights the dangers of this kind of work. The Appeals Court has upheld a jury verdict of $2.3million against Conrail in respect of a former railway worker who was diagnosed with mesothelioma. A jury awarded damages to cover suffering and pain, companionship loss, future medical expenses, and other losses. This case emphasizes the importance of working closely with an experienced attorney that can quickly assess whether a FELA claim is legitimate.
Radioactive Substances
Railroad workers who were exposed to radioactive substances are at risk for developing certain types of cancers as well as other serious diseases. These substances are often hidden in the materials railroads use to clean tracks and other rail yards. It is often difficult to detect them unless the railroad company actively tests for Gamma and Alpha radiation. If a railway worker is diagnosed with cancer or a different illness due to exposure to carcinogenic chemicals on the job, they can make an FELA claim and receive compensation from their former employer.
Research has revealed that workers in the railroad industry are more likely to develop different types of cancers than other people. They are constantly exposed to toxic substances that can cause lung cancer. These include asbestos and silica (silica) welding fumes and diesel.
A railroad lawyer must be sought out as soon as possible by railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer due to exposure during their work. They can assist them in determining whether they have a legal claim against their former employers and file the appropriate lawsuits under FELA. These claims can include reimbursement for medical expenses, income loss, and pain and discomfort. They may also seek compensation for the death of a loved one through a wrongful-death claim. An experienced railroad lawyer can assist victims get the maximum amount of compensation they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Railroad workers such as engineers conductors, and members of train crews are often exposed to hazardous conditions that can damage lungs without even realizing it. Former railroad employees who have developed lung cancer or other ailments that may have been due to their work may claim compensation under Federal Employers Liability (FELA).
Unlike workers' compensation, FELA allows railroad employees who are injured to sue. This includes future and past medical costs and emotional suffering. An attorney who is familiar with FELA regulations can explain to you the legal options.
In order to be successful in a FELA claim it is necessary to prove that your employer was negligent. It could be a matter of breaking a rule or law or not achieving the acceptable standards of care, and more. A FELA lawyer can look over your case and determine whether railroad negligence contributed to your condition.
Railroad exposure can trigger a variety of lung diseases. If you were exposed during your career as a railroad worker to diesel exhaust or other toxins such as asbestos, creosote, or creosote, a mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in filing an application for compensation under the FELA. Hughes Law Offices has handled FELA cases in the past and have led to a variety of verdicts and settlements.