FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Railroad workers who are exposed to toxic 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 award damages to pay medical expenses, lost income as well as suffering and pain.
Union Pacific recently awarded $7.5 Million to one of its railroad workers who was diagnosed with Leukemia. This is just one example of the justice system standing up for victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to hazardous substances and chemical solvents, such as benzene. The evaporation rate of benzene is high. liquid that is absorbed through the skin or inhaled. It has been linked with a variety of medical illnesses, including blood cancers, cancers of the blood like leukemia and lymphoma, as well as bone marrow disease. It is also a substance that causes cancer and a component of coal tar creosote that is used to protect railroad tie from sunlight, heat and rain.
A former railway worker claimed that his exposure to benzene while working with coal-tar creosote to make railroad ties, led to Myelodysplastic Syndrome. This progressed to Acute Myeloid leukemia. A jury awarded him $7.5 million last September.
People who have been diagnosed as having cancer or other chronic illnesses because of exposure to benzene asbestos radioactive substances and other harmful chemicals, are entitled to claim compensation under FELA. The statute of limitations may differ based on the nature and extent of the cancer or disease. It is crucial to consult with an experienced attorney whenever you can.
Shaw Cowart's railroad lawyers can assist you in determining whether your case is a candidate to be an FELA lawsuit. We offer free consultations, and we're familiar with FELA and railroad workplaces.
Asbestos
Our lawyers have represented railroad workers who contracted lung cancer, as well as other health issues caused by asbestos exposure. They typically worked in areas like repair shops, engine rooms and yards as well as on rail cars that were damaged or track equipment that contained asbestos insulation that was becoming degraded. This kind of asbestos can be particularly hazardous, since when it degrades, tiny fibers are released in the air. These fibers are inhaled by workers on railroads and cause mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related health conditions such as lung cancer, asbestosis as well as pleural plaques and fibrosis.
In addition to asbestos railroad workers are at risk of developing lung disease due to diesel exhaust as well as exposure to other workplace toxics such as welding fumes, solvents and silica sand. These particles and fumes can damage the lungs, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract as well blood cells. These injuries are often identified several years after the initial exposure and can result in many serious and debilitating medical conditions.
Recent case against Conrail exposes the risks associated with 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 from mesothelioma. A jury awarded damages to compensate for suffering and pain and companionship loss, as well as future medical expenses, and other losses. This case highlights the importance of working with an experienced attorney who can quickly determine whether a FELA claim is warranted.
Radioactive Substances
Railroad workers who were exposed to radioactive substances are at risk of developing certain types of cancers and other serious ailments. They are often concealed in the materials railroads use to clean tracks and other rail yards. It can be difficult to spot them unless the railroad's business actively tests for Gamma and Alpha radiation. If a railroad employee develops cancer or another ailment caused through exposure to carcinogenic substances while on the job, he may apply for an FELA and receive compensation from the company he worked for previously.
Railroad workers are more likely than others to develop cancers. This is due to the fact that they are constantly exposed to toxic substances that can cause lung cancers, such as asbestos and Sand dust (silica) and welding fumes, diesel fumes and creosote.
A lawyer for railroads is recommended to be consulted as soon as is possible by railroad employees who have been diagnosed as having cancer as a result of exposure during their work. They can assist them in determining if there is a claim against the former employer and pursue the appropriate lawsuits, that are based on FELA. These claims can be based on reimbursement for medical expenses as well as loss of income and suffering and pain. They also can compensate for the loss of a loved one as a wrongful-death claim. A knowledgeable railroad lawyer can assist victims receive the full amount of damages they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Railroad workers like engineers, conductors, and members of train crews frequently work in dangerous environments which can cause lung damage without even realizing it. If a former railroad employee has developed an illness like lung cancer or another disease that could have been related to their work it is possible to claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
In contrast to claims for workers' compensation, FELA allows injured railroad employees and their families of deceased employees to pursue claims for damages, including past and future emotional suffering and medical expenses. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements of FELA rules can inform you the options.
In order to be successful in a FELA claim you must show that your employer was negligent. Negligence could include breaking a rule or law, failing to meet an acceptable standard of care, and much more. A competent FELA lawyer will review your case to determine whether the railroad's negligence caused your condition.
Many different lung diseases and illnesses can be linked to railroad exposures. If you were exposed to diesel exhaust, asbestos, creosote or any other toxic substances during your career on the railway and you are a mesothelioma patient, a certified attorney can assist you in obtaining compensation under FELA. The FELA cases handled by Hughes Law Offices have resulted in a range of verdicts and settlements.