FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Railroad workers who are exposed to toxic chemicals, such as coal fumes diesel exhaust benzene or asbestos are at risk of developing serious illness like cancer. A successful FELA claim can award damages that cover medical expenses loss of income suffering and more.
Union Pacific recently awarded $7.5 Million to one of their railroad workers who developed Leukemia. This is only one example of how the justice system defends for the victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to dangerous substances and chemical solvents, including benzene. The evaporation rate of benzene is high. liquid that can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled. It has been linked with several medical conditions like cancer blood-related cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma, and bone-marrow diseases. It is also a cancer-causing chemical and is a component of coal tar creosote. It is used to protect railroad tie from sunlight, heat and rain.
A former rail worker claimed that 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 awarded him $7.5 million in September.
Anyone diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses resulting from daily exposure to benzene, asbestos radioactive substances, and other toxic chemicals have the right to submit a claim for compensation under FELA. The statute of limitations may differ based on the nature and extent of the cancer or disease. It is essential to consult an experienced attorney whenever you can.
Shaw Cowart's railroad attorneys will help you determine if your case is suitable to be a FELA lawsuit. We offer no-cost consultations, and we are knowledgeable about FELA and railroad workplaces.
Asbestos
Our attorneys have represented railroad workers who developed lung cancer and other health conditions caused by asbestos exposure. They were often employed in areas like repair shops, engine rooms, and yards or on rail cars with derailments or on track equipment that had asbestos insulation that was becoming degraded. This kind of asbestos is particularly hazardous since, when it begins to degrade, tiny fibers are released into air. These fibers are inhaled by workers on railroads and can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer asbestosis and the pleural plaque.
Railroad workers are at the risk of developing lung cancer from diesel exhaust, silicasand, and welding fumes. These fumes can cause harm to the kidneys, lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. These injuries are usually discovered after years of exposure, and can lead to various serious and debilitating medical issues.
A recent case against Conrail highlights the dangers of this type of work. The Appeals Court upheld a jury award of $2.3 million to Conrail, a railroad company, for a former railway employee who died of mesothelioma. The jury awarded damages for suffering and suffering, loss of companionship, future medical expenses and other expenses. The case underscores the importance of working with a seasoned attorney who is able to quickly assess whether an FELA claim is warranted.
Radioactive Substances
Railroad workers exposed to radioactive substances are at risk for developing certain types of cancers as well as other serious ailments. The substances are usually hidden in the materials that railroads use to clean track and other rail yards. It can be difficult to spot them unless the railroad company tests for Gamma and Alpha radiation. If a railway worker is diagnosed with cancer or another condition that was caused by exposure to carcinogenic chemicals on the job, they are able to file an FELA claim and receive compensation from their former employer.
Railroad workers are more prone than other people to develop cancer. This is because they are constantly exposed to toxins that could lead to lung cancer, such as asbestos dust, Sand dust (silica) as well as welding fumes, diesel fumes and creosote.
Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer as the result of exposure to radiation on the job should consult an attorney from the railroad as soon as they can. csx railroad lawsuit can assist them in determining whether they have a right to claim against their former employers and file the appropriate lawsuits under FELA. These lawsuits can cover compensation for medical expenses or loss of income, as well as pain and suffering. They also can compensate for the death of a loved one as the event of wrongful death. A railroad attorney with experience can help victims receive the maximum amount of the damages they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Conductors, engineers and train crew members work in hazardous environments that can cause damage to their lungs, without even realizing it. If a former railroad employee has developed an illness like lung cancer or another illness that could have been related to their job it is possible to file for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
In contrast to claims for workers' compensation, FELA allows injured railroad employees and the families of deceased employees to seek damages for past and future medical expenses and emotional suffering. An attorney who is knowledgeable about FELA regulations can explain to you the legal options.
In order to be successful in a FELA claim, you must prove that your employer was negligent. It could be a matter of breaking a rule or law or not achieving an acceptable standard of care, and more. A competent FELA lawyer can review your case to determine whether the railroad's negligence caused your condition.
Railroad exposure can cause a variety of lung diseases. If you were exposed in your railroad career to diesel exhaust or other toxic substances like creosote or asbestos creosote, a mesothelioma lawyer can help you file claims 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.