Margarita Stuckey asked 10 months ago
FELA and railroad lawsuit cll Lawsuits
Railroad workers who are exposed to harmful chemicals such as diesel exhaust fumes, coal fumes, benzene or asbestos are at risk of developing a serious illness, including cancer. A successful FELA lawsuit can be awarded damages to cover medical expenses, loss of income as well as pain and suffering.
A railroad worker who was diagnosed with leukemia has been awarded $7.5 million from Union Pacific. This is just one example of the justice system standing up for victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers are often exposed to chemical solvents, as well as other hazardous substances, such as benzene. The liquid, which is extremely evaporative is absorbed by the skin or inhaled. It has been linked to a range of medical ailments, including cancer, blood cancers like lymphoma and leukemia, as well as bone marrow diseases. It is also a carcinogen, and part of coal tar creosote. It’s used to shield railroad ties from heat, sunlight snow, rain, and sunlight.
One former rail worker claimed that exposure to benzene when working with coal tar creosote on railroad ties caused Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), which progressed into Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A jury handed him $7.5 million last September.
If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses resulting from daily exposure to benzene, asbestos radioactive substances, and other hazardous chemicals have the right to make a claim for compensation under FELA. Depending on the type of cancer or illness, the statute of limitations could differ, so it is important to speak with an experienced lawyer as soon as you can.
Shaw Cowart’s railroad attorneys can assist you in determining if your case qualifies for a FELA lawsuit. We offer no-cost consultations, and we are knowledgeable about FELA and railroad workplaces.
Asbestos
Our attorneys have represented railroad lawsuit lung cancer workers who were diagnosed with lung cancer or other health issues due to asbestos exposure. They frequently worked in areas such as repair shops, engine rooms, and yards and on rail cars that had been damaged or on track equipment with asbestos insulation that was becoming degraded. This type of asbestos could be particularly dangerous, because when it is degraded, tiny fibers are released into the air. The fibers are breathed in by workers on railroads and can cause mesothelioma or lung cancer as well as asbestosis and pleural plaque.
In addition to asbestos railroad workers are at high risk for developing lung diseases from diesel exhaust as well as 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 several years after exposure, and can cause to debilitating and serious ailments.
A recent case involving Conrail exposes the dangers associated with this kind of work. The Appeals Court has upheld a jury verdict of $2.3million against Conrail in respect of an ex-railway worker who passed away from mesothelioma. The jury awarded damages for suffering and pain, as well as loss of companionship, future medical costs and other losses. The case highlights the importance to work with an experienced attorney who can quickly determine whether an FELA claim is warranted.
Radioactive Substances
Anyone exposed to radioactive materials could develop cancer or other serious diseases. These substances are often hidden in the materials railroads use to clean tracks and other rail yards. It can be difficult to spot them unless the railroad’s company tests for Gamma and Alpha radiation. If a railroad employee is diagnosed with cancer or a different illness that is the result of exposure to carcinogenic substances while on the job, they may file a FELA claim and receive compensation from their former employer.
Research has proven that railroad workers are more likely to develop a variety of cancers than other people. This is due to being constantly exposed to toxins that can cause lung cancers, such as asbestos, Settlements sand dust (silica) as well as diesel fumes, welding fumes, and creosote.
A railroad lawsuit pancreatic cancer lawyer should be consulted as soon as is possible by railroad employees who are diagnosed with cancer as a result of exposure to radiation to radiation while working. They can help them determine if they have a claim against their former employers and submit the appropriate lawsuits under FELA. These claims can include compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, pain and discomfort. They may also seek compensation for the loss of a loved one through the case of wrongful death. A skilled railroad lawsuit lymphoma lawyer can assist victims get the maximum amount of damages they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Engineers, conductors, and train crew members work in dangerous situations where they may damage their lungs without even realizing. Former railroad lawsuit all employees who have developed lung cancer or other ailments which could be due to their work may file for settlements compensation under Federal Employers Liability (FELA).
Unlike workers’ compensation, FELA allows railroad workers who have been injured to sue. This includes past and future emotional and medical expenses. A lawyer familiar with the rules of FELA could explain your options for filing.
In order to prevail in a FELA claim, you must prove that your employer acted negligently. Negligence may involve breaking a rule or law and not observing a reasonable standard of care, and many more. A FELA lawyer can evaluate your case and determine if railroad negligence caused your illness.
Railroad exposure can lead to a variety of lung illnesses. If you were exposed during your railroad work to diesel exhaust or other toxins such as creosote and asbestos or creosote, a mesothelioma lawyer will help you file a claim for compensation under the FELA. Hughes Law Offices has handled FELA cases in the past, and they have led to a variety of verdicts and settlements.