FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Workers who are exposed to toxic chemicals like diesel exhaust, coal fumes or asbestos can be diagnosed with serious illnesses like cancer. A successful FELA claim can award damages to pay medical expenses, loss of income, suffering and pain.
A railroad worker who was diagnosed with 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 often work with chemical solvents and other hazardous substances, such as benzene. Benzene, a highly-evaporative liquid is absorbed through the skin or inhaled. It has been linked to a number of medical illnesses, including blood cancers, cancers of the blood like leukemia and lymphoma, as well as bone marrow disease. It is also a carcinogen and is a component of coal creosote. It is used to protect railroad tracks from heat, sunlight snow, rain, and sunlight.
One former rail worker claimed exposure to benzene during his work with coal tar creosote on railroad ties caused Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), which grew into Acute Myeloid Leukemia. railroad lawsuit settlements handed the man $7.5 million in September of the year before.
People who have been diagnosed as having cancer or other chronic diseases due to exposure to benzene asbestos radioactive substances, and other hazardous chemicals, have the right to claim compensation under FELA. The time limit for filing a claim can vary based on the type and degree of cancer or illness. It is crucial to consult an experienced attorney as soon as you can.
A railroad attorney from Shaw Cowart can help you determine whether your case is a valid FELA claim. We provide free consultations and are familiar with FELA and railroad workplaces as well as the cancer-causing chemicals railroad workers face on a daily basis.
Asbestos
Our lawyers have represented railroad workers who were diagnosed with lung cancer or other illnesses due to asbestos exposure. They were often employed in areas such as repair shops, engine rooms, and yards as well as on rail cars that were damaged or track equipment that had deteriorating asbestos insulation. This type of asbestos is extremely dangerous because, when it gets deteriorated tiny fibers are released into the air. These fibers could be inhaled by railroad workers and can cause mesothelioma, as well as other asbestos-related health conditions such as lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaque and fibrosis.
Railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases due to diesel exhaust, silicasand, and welding fumes. These fumes can cause harm to the kidneys, lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. These injuries are often identified after years of exposure and can lead to various severe and debilitating medical conditions.
A recent case involving Conrail exposes the dangers of this kind of work. The Appeals Court upheld a jury award of $2.3 million against Conrail, a railroad company, for an employee of the railroad who died of mesothelioma. A jury awarded damages to compensate for suffering and pain as well as companionship loss, future medical expenses and other losses. This case emphasizes the importance of working closely with an experienced lawyer who can quickly determine if an FELA claim is justified.
Radioactive Substances
Railroad workers who are exposed to radioactive substances are at risk for developing certain types of cancers as well as other serious diseases. These substances are typically hidden in the materials that railroads employ to clean tracks and other rail yards. They are often difficult to spot unless the railroad company is testing them for alpha and the gamma radiation. If a railroad worker is diagnosed with cancer or another condition caused by exposure to carcinogenic substances on the job, they are able to file a FELA claim and receive compensation from their former employer.
Studies have shown that workers in the railroad industry are more likely to develop various types of cancer than other people. This is due to the fact that they are constantly exposed to toxins that can lead to lung cancer, like asbestos as well as Sand dust (silica) as well as diesel fumes, welding fumes and creosote.
A lawyer for railroads is recommended to be consulted as soon as possible by railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer as a result of exposure on the job. They can help them determine whether they have a case against the former employer and make the appropriate lawsuits based on FELA. These lawsuits could result in the payment of medical expenses, loss of income, and pain and discomfort. Additionally, they can compensate for the loss of a loved one's life in the event of wrongful death. A knowledgeable railroad attorney can help victims get the maximum amount of damages they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Railroad workers, such as engineers, conductors, and train crew members are often in dangerous environments which can cause lung damage without realizing it. Former railroad workers who developed lung cancer or other ailments that may have been caused by their job may apply for compensation under Federal Employers Liability (FELA).
In contrast to claims for workers' compensation, FELA allows injured railroad employees and the families of deceased employees to sue for damages including past and future emotional and medical costs. A lawyer who is familiar with regulations under FELA will be able to explain your options to file.
In order to be successful in a FELA claim it is necessary to prove that your employer acted negligently. It could be a matter of breaking a rule or law or not achieving an acceptable standard of care, and more. A knowledgeable FELA lawyer will review your case to determine whether the railroad's negligence was a factor in the triggering of your condition.
A variety of lung diseases and illnesses can be attributed to exposures from railroads. If you were exposed in your railroad career to diesel exhaust or other toxins such as asbestos, creosote, or creosote, a mesothelioma lawyer will assist you in filing an action for compensation under the FELA. The FELA cases handled by Hughes Law Offices have led to a variety of verdicts and settlements.