FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Workers exposed to harmful chemicals like coal fumes, diesel exhaust or asbestos could be diagnosed with serious illnesses like cancer. A successful FELA claim can award damages that will cover medical expenses, loss of income discomfort and more.
Union Pacific recently awarded $7.5 Million to a railroad worker who developed Leukemia. This is just one illustration of how the justice system defends for victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers frequently work with chemical solvents and other dangerous substances, such as benzene. It is a highly evaporative liquid that can be absorbed by the skin or inhaled. It is linked to several medical conditions like cancer blood-related cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma, and bone-marrow disease. It is also a carcinogen and is a component of coal creosote. It's used to shield railroad tracks from heat, sunlight snow, rain, and sunlight.
One former rail worker claimed his exposure to benzene while working with coal tar creosote on railroad ties led to Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), which grew into Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A jury handed the man $7.5 million in September last year.
If you've been diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses resulting from exposure to asbestos, benzene, radioactive substances and other toxic chemicals are entitled to make a claim for compensation under FELA. The statute of limitations may vary depending on the type and extent of the cancer or disease. It is imperative to speak with an experienced attorney immediately.
A railroad attorney at Shaw Cowart can help you determine if your case is eligible for a FELA claim. We offer free consultations, and we are familiar with FELA and railroad workplaces.
Asbestos
Our lawyers have represented railroad workers who developed lung cancer and other health issues due to asbestos exposure. They often worked in areas such as repair shops, engine rooms and yards and on rail cars that had been damaged or on track equipment that was asbestos insulation that was deteriorating. This kind of asbestos is particularly dangerous because, when it gets deteriorated, tiny fibers are released into air. The fibers are breathed in by railway workers and may cause mesothelioma, lung cancer asbestosis, and pleural plaque.
In addition to asbestos, railroad workers are also at risk of developing lung diseases from diesel exhaust and exposure to other workplace toxics such as welding fumes, solvents and silica sand. These fumes can cause damage to the lungs, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. These injuries are often diagnosed after years of exposure and can result in various grave and debilitating health conditions.
Recent case against Conrail highlights the dangers associated with this type work. The Appeals Court upheld a jury award of $2.3 million to Conrail for an ex-railway worker who passed away from mesothelioma. class action lawsuit against railroads awarded damages to cover suffering and pain and companionship loss, as well as future medical expenses, and other losses. The case underscores the importance of working with an experienced attorney who can quickly determine whether a FELA claim is warranted.
Radioactive Substances
Railroad workers who are exposed to radioactive substances are at risk of developing certain types of cancers and other serious illnesses. These substances are typically hidden in the materials railroads use to clean tracks and other rail yards. They are often difficult to detect unless the railroad company is actively checking them for alpha and the gamma radiation. If a railroad worker is diagnosed with cancer or another illness caused by exposure to carcinogenic chemicals at work, he can submit an FELA and receive compensation from the company he worked for previously.
Railroad workers are more likely than others to develop cancer. They are constantly exposed toxic substances that can cause lung cancer. They are exposed to asbestos as well as silica (silica) as well as welding fumes, or diesel fumes.
Railroad employees who have been diagnosed with cancer as a result of exposure on the job should speak to a lawyer for railroads as quickly as is possible. They can help them determine whether they have a claim against the former employer and make the appropriate lawsuits that are based on FELA. These claims may include reimbursement for medical expenses, income loss, and discomfort and pain. Additionally, they may compensate for the loss of a loved ones in the event of wrongful death. A knowledgeable railroad lawyer can help victims get the maximum amount of damages they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Conductors, engineers, and train crew members work in dangerous situations where they may damage their lungs, without even realizing it. Former railroad employees who have developed lung cancer or other ailments that could be caused by their work can seek compensation under Federal Employers Liability (FELA).
As opposed to workers' compensation claims, FELA allows injured railroad employees and families of deceased employees to sue for damages including future and past emotional and medical expenses. An attorney who is familiar with FELA rules can inform you the options.
To win a FELA lawsuit, you'll need to prove that your employer acted in a negligent manner. Negligence may involve breaking a law or rule and not observing a reasonable standard of care, and so on. A competent FELA lawyer can evaluate your case to determine whether the railroad's negligence was a factor in the triggering of your condition.
Railroad exposure can cause variety of lung diseases. If you were exposed during your railroad career to diesel exhaust or other toxic substances like creosote or asbestos creosote, a mesothelioma lawyer will assist you in filing a claim for compensation under the FELA. The FELA cases handled by Hughes Law Offices in the past have resulted in a variety of verdicts and settlements.