FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Workers exposed to toxic chemicals such as coal fumes, diesel exhaust or asbestos can suffer from serious illnesses such as cancer. A successful FELA claim could award damages that will cover medical expenses loss of income discomfort and more.
A railroad worker who was diagnosed with leukemia recently received $7.5 million from Union Pacific. This is only one illustration of how the justice system defends for the injured.
Benzene
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to hazardous materials and chemical solvents like benzene. Benzene, a liquid that is highly evaporative is absorbed through the skin or inhaled. It has been linked to a number of medical ailments, including cancer, blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma as well as bone marrow disease. It is also a cancer-causing agent and is a component of coal creosote, a substance used to protect railroad ties from sunlight, heat snow, rain, and sunlight.
A former rail worker claimed that his exposure to benzene working with coal-tar creosote make railroad ties, led to Myelodysplastic Syndrome. union pacific railroad lawsuit progressed to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A jury handed him $7.5 million last September.
People who have been diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses due to exposure to benzene asbestos radioactive substances, and other hazardous chemicals, are entitled to claim compensation under FELA. Depending on the kind of cancer or illness the time limit for filing a claim will vary, therefore it is important to speak with a skilled lawyer as quickly as you can.
A railroad attorney at Shaw Cowart can help you determine whether your case is a valid FELA claim. We offer free consultations, and we are knowledgeable about FELA and railroad workplaces.
Asbestos
Our lawyers have represented railroad workers who developed lung cancer and other health issues caused by asbestos exposure. They worked in areas such as repair shops, engine room and yards, or on track equipment or railway cars that contained asbestos insulation. This type of asbestos can be particularly dangerous, because when it is degraded, tiny fibers are released into the air. The fibers can be breathed in by railroad workers and can cause mesothelioma along with other asbestos-related health conditions like lung cancer, asbestosis as well as pleural plaques and fibrosis.
Railroad workers are at the risk of developing lung disease due to diesel exhaust, silica sand and welding fumes. These fumes can cause harm to the kidneys, lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. These injuries are usually discovered several years after the initial exposure, and can lead to many grave and debilitating health conditions.
A recent case against Conrail highlights the dangers associated with this kind of work. The Appeals Court upheld a jury award of $2.3 million to Conrail, a railroad company, for an ex-railway employee who died from mesothelioma. A jury awarded damages for his suffering and pain, loss of companionship, future medical costs and other expenses. This case highlights the importance of working closely with an experienced attorney that can quickly determine whether the FELA claim is justified.
Radioactive Substances
People exposed to radioactive substances can develop cancers or other serious ailments. These substances are typically hidden in the materials that railroads use to clean tracks and other rail yards. They are often difficult to spot unless the railroad company is testing them for alpha and Gamma radiation. If a railway worker is diagnosed with cancer or a different illness that was caused by exposure to carcinogenic substances on the job, they are able to file a FELA claim and receive compensation from their former employer.
cancer lawsuit have shown that railway workers are more likely to develop different types of cancers than other people. They are exposed to toxic substances that can cause lung cancer. This includes asbestos or silica (silica) welding fumes or diesel fumes.
cancer lawsuit who have been diagnosed with cancer as the consequence of exposure to the workplace should consult an attorney for railroads as soon as possible. They can help them determine whether they have a case against the former employer and make the appropriate lawsuits based on FELA. These claims can include reimbursement for medical expenses as well as loss of income and pain and suffering. They also can compensate for the death of a loved one through a wrongful-death claim. An experienced railroad lawyer can help victims get the full amount of compensation they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Engineers, conductors and train crew members work in dangerous environments where they could damage their lungs without even realizing. If a former railroad employee has been diagnosed with an illness such as lung cancer or another condition that could be related to their work it is possible to file for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
Unlike workers' compensation claims, FELA allows injured railroad employees and the families of deceased employees to sue for damages including future and past emotional and medical expenses. A lawyer familiar with the regulations under FELA could explain your options for filing.
In order to win a FELA lawsuit, you'll have to prove that your employer acted in a negligent way. The definition of negligence can include breaking a rule or law and not observing the reasonable standards of care, and so on. A FELA lawyer can review your case and determine if railroad negligence was the cause of your illness.
There are a variety of lung diseases and illnesses can be linked to railroad exposures. If you were exposed to asbestos, diesel exhaust creosote or other toxins during your career on the railway and you are a mesothelioma patient, a certified attorney can assist you in filing for compensation under FELA. The FELA cases handled by Hughes Law Offices have led to a variety of settlements and verdicts.