FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Railroad workers who are exposed to harmful chemicals such as diesel exhaust fumes, coal vapors, benzene or asbestos are at risk of developing a serious illness, including cancer. A successful FELA claim can award damages that cover medical expenses, loss of income pain suffering and more.
Union Pacific recently awarded $7.5 Million to an employee of the railroad who contracted Leukemia. This is just one illustration of how the justice system fights for the victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers often work with chemical solvents, as well as other hazardous materials, including benzene. The evaporation rate of benzene is high. liquid which can be absorbed via the skin or inhaled. It has been linked to a variety of medical conditions, including cancer, blood cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia, as well as bone marrow disease. It is also a substance that causes cancer and a constituent in coal tar creosote, which is used to shield railroad tie from sunlight, heat and rain.
A former railway worker claimed that his exposure to benzene while working with coal-tar creosote to create railroad ties, led to Myelodysplastic Syndrome. This progressed to Acute Myeloid leukemia. A jury handed him $7.5 million in September.
Anyone diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses resulting from exposure to benzene, asbestos radioactive substances and other dangerous chemicals can submit a claim for compensation under FELA. Depending on the type of cancer or illness the time limit for filing a claim will vary, therefore it is crucial to speak with a skilled lawyer as quickly as you can.
Shaw Cowart's railroad lawyers can assist you in determining if your case is eligible to be an FELA lawsuit. We offer free consultations and are familiar with FELA as well as railroad workplaces and the hazardous cancer-causing substances that railroad employees encounter on a daily basis.
Asbestos
Our attorneys have represented railroad employees who contracted lung cancer or other health conditions due to asbestos exposure. They often worked in areas such as repair shops, engine rooms and yards, on derailed rail cars or on track equipment with asbestos insulation that was becoming degraded. This kind of asbestos is particularly dangerous since, when it begins to degrade, tiny fibers are released into air. These fibers are inhaled by railroad workers and cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses such as lung cancer asbestosis, pleural plaque and fibrosis.
Railroad workers are at the risk of developing lung disease from diesel exhaust, silicasand, and welding fumes. The particles and fumes that are emitted from these workplaces can damage the kidneys, lungs and gastrointestinal tract, as well as blood cells. These injuries are often discovered several years after the initial exposure and can lead to various severe and debilitating medical conditions.
A recent case involving Conrail exposes the dangers associated with this kind of work. The Appeals Court upheld a jury award of $2.3 million against the railroad company for an ex-railway worker who died of mesothelioma. The jury awarded damages to cover suffering and pain, companionship loss, future medical expenses and other losses. The case highlights the importance of working with an experienced attorney who can quickly determine whether a FELA claim is legitimate.
Radioactive Substances
Railroad workers exposed to radioactive substances are at risk of developing certain types of cancers and other serious ailments. Leukemia lawsuit are usually hidden in the materials railroads employ to clean track and other rail yards. They are often difficult to identify unless a railroad company is actively 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 materials on the job, he can apply for a FELA and receive compensation from the company he worked for previously.
cancer lawsuits has shown that railroad workers are more likely to develop various types of cancer than other people. This is due to being constantly exposed to toxins that can cause lung cancer, including asbestos as well as the sand dust (silica), diesel fumes, welding fumes and creosote.
Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer as the consequence of exposure to the workplace should speak to a railroad lawyer as soon as is possible. They can help them determine if there is a claim against the former employer and pursue the appropriate lawsuits, that are based on FELA. These claims can be based on the payment of medical expenses, loss of income and pain and suffering. They may also seek compensation for the loss of a loved in the event of wrongful death. An experienced railroad lawyer can assist victims get the maximum amount of compensation they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Railroad workers like engineers, conductors and other members of the train crew are often in dangerous environments that can harm lungs without realizing it. If a former railroad employee has developed an illness like lung cancer or another condition that could be connected to their job it is possible to claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
Unlike workers' compensation, FELA allows railroad employees who are injured to sue. This includes past and future emotional and medical expenses. A lawyer who is familiar with regulations under FELA could explain your options for filing.
To prevail in a FELA lawsuit, you will need to prove that the employer acted in a negligent way. Negligence could include breaking a law or rule, failing to meet an acceptable standard of care, or any other. A FELA lawyer can review your case and determine whether railroad negligence was a factor in your condition.
Railroad exposure can trigger a variety of lung illnesses. If you were exposed during your railroad work to diesel exhaust or other toxins such as asbestos, creosote, or creosote mesothelioma lawyers can assist you in filing an action for compensation under the FELA. cancer lawsuit handled by Hughes Law Offices in the past have resulted into a variety of verdicts and settlements.