FELA and Railroad Lawsuits

Railroad workers exposed to toxic chemicals like diesel exhaust benzene, coal fumes or asbestos are at risk of developing a serious illness like cancer. A successful FELA claim could award damages that cover medical expenses, loss of income suffering and more.

A railroad worker who contracted leukemia has been awarded $7.5 million from union pacific railroad lawsuit union pacific railroad lawsuit. This is just one instance of the justice system standing up 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 is absorbed through the skin or inhaled. It has been linked to a variety of medical illnesses, including cancer, blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, and bone marrow disease. It is also a cancer-causing substance and a component of coal tar creosote that is used to shield railroad tie from heat, sunlight and rain.

One former rail worker claimed that exposure to benzene during his work with coal tar creosote railroad ties caused Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), that progressed to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A jury handed the man $7.5 million in September last year.

Those who have been diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses due to exposure to radioactive substances benzene asbestos as well as other hazardous chemicals, are entitled to claim compensation under FELA. The statute of limitations may vary depending on the type and degree of cancer or disease. It is important to seek out an experienced lawyer as soon as possible.

A railroad lawyer at Shaw Cowart can help you determine if your case is eligible for a FELA claim. We offer no-cost consultations and are familiar with FELA railway workplaces, FELA and the hazardous cancer-causing substances that blacklands railroad lawsuit workers face every day.

Asbestos

Our lawyers have represented railroad employees who developed lung cancer or other health conditions as a result of asbestos exposure. They were often employed in areas such as repair shops, engine rooms, and yards and on rail cars that had been damaged or on track equipment that contained asbestos insulation that was deteriorating. This type of asbestos could be extremely hazardous, as when it is degraded, tiny fibers are released in the air. These fibers can be inhaled by workers on railroads and cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer, asbestosis as well as pleural plaques and fibrosis.

In addition to asbestos, railroad workers are also at risk of developing lung ailments due to diesel exhaust as well as exposure to other workplace toxins such as welding fumes, solvents and Blacklands Railroad Lawsuit silica sand. The particles and fumes that are emitted from these workplaces can cause damage to the kidneys, lungs and gastrointestinal tract, as well as blood cells. These injuries are often discovered many years after an employee's initial exposure, and can lead to many severe and debilitating medical conditions.

A recent case involving Conrail exposes the risks associated with this type of work. The Appeals Court has upheld a jury verdict of $2.3million class action lawsuit against norfolk southern railroad Conrail in respect of a former railway worker who passed away from mesothelioma. A jury awarded damages for his pain and suffering, loss of companionship, future medical expenses and other expenses. This case highlights the importance to work with an experienced attorney who is able to quickly assess whether an FELA claim is warranted.

Radioactive Substances

People exposed to radioactive substances can develop cancers or other serious illnesses. These substances are often hidden in the materials railroads use to clean tracks and other rail yards. It can be difficult to detect them unless the railroad's business actively examines for alpha and Gamma radiation. If a Blacklands Railroad lawsuit worker is diagnosed with cancer or another condition caused by exposure to carcinogenic chemicals on their job, they can file an FELA claim and receive compensation from their former employer.

Research has shown that railroad workers are much more likely to develop different types of cancers than other people. They are continuously exposed to the toxins that can cause lung cancer. This includes asbestos as well as the mineral sand (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 assist them in determining whether they have a claim against their former employers and file the appropriate lawsuits under FELA. These claims may include reimbursement for medical expenses, loss of income, pain and discomfort. In addition, they can pay for the loss of a loved one's life in an wrongful-death claim. An experienced railroad lawyer can help victims get the maximum amount of damages they are entitled to under FELA.

FELA

Railroad workers such as engineers conductors and other members of the train crew often work in hazardous environments that can harm lungs without even realizing it. If a former railroad employee has contracted an illness, such as lung cancer or a different condition that could be connected to their job and work, they could be eligible to claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

Contrary to workers' compensation FELA permits railroad employees who are injured to sue. This includes future and past medical costs and emotional suffering. A lawyer who is familiar with rules under FELA can explain your options to file.

In order to prevail in a FELA claim, you must prove that your employer acted negligently. It could be a matter of breaking a rule or law and not observing the reasonable standards of care and more. A skilled FELA lawyer can evaluate your case to determine if the railroad's negligence was a factor in the triggering of your condition.

Railroad exposure can lead to a variety of lung illnesses. If you were exposed during your railroad career to diesel exhaust or other toxins like creosote, asbestos, or creosote, a mesothelioma lawyer could assist you in filing an application for compensation under the FELA. Hughes Law Offices has handled FELA cases in the past, and have resulted in a variety verdicts and settlements.