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 will cover medical expenses loss of income pain suffering and more.
A railroad worker suffering from leukemia recently received $7.5 million from Union Pacific. This is only 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. It is a highly evaporative liquid which can be absorbed via 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 chemical and a component in coal tar creosote. It is used to shield railroad tie from heat, sunlight and rain.
A former railroad worker claimed that his exposure to benzene working with coal-tar creosote to create railroad ties, lead to Myelodysplastic Syndrome. This progressed to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A jury gave him $7.5 million in September.
Those who have been diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses resulting from exposure to benzene, asbestos radioactive substances and other harmful chemicals are entitled to seek compensation under FELA. The time limit for filing a claim can vary depending on the type and severity of the cancer or disease. Leukemia lawsuit is imperative to seek out an experienced lawyer immediately.
A railroad attorney from 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 attorneys have represented railroad workers who contracted lung cancer or other health conditions as a result of asbestos exposure. They worked in places like repair shops, engine rooms and yards, or on track equipment or rail cars that had asbestos insulation. This type of asbestos is especially dangerous because, when it gets deteriorated, tiny fibers are released into air. These fibers are inhaled by railroad workers and cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illnesses such as lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaque and fibrosis.
In cancer lawsuits to asbestos, railroad workers are also at risk of developing lung diseases from diesel exhaust as well as exposure to other workplace toxins such as welding fumes, solvents and silica sand. These fumes can cause harm to the kidneys, lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. These injuries can be identified several years after exposure and can lead to a myriad of serious and debilitating conditions.
Recent case against Conrail illustrates the risks associated with this type of work. The Appeals Court has upheld a jury verdict of $2.3million against Conrail in the case of an ex-railway worker who was diagnosed with mesothelioma. The jury awarded damages for suffering and pain, as well as loss of companionship, future medical expenses and other expenses. This case illustrates the importance of working closely with an experienced lawyer who will quickly determine if a FELA claim is warranted.
Radioactive Substances
Workers exposed to radioactive substances may develop cancers or other serious ailments. Leukemia lawsuit are usually hidden in the materials that railroads employ to clean track and other rail yards. They can be difficult to detect unless the railroad company is actively screening them for alpha or Gamma radiation. If a railroad worker is diagnosed with cancer or another ailment caused by exposure to carcinogenic materials on the job, he can file an FELA and receive compensation from the company he worked for previously.
Research has shown that workers in the railroad industry are more likely to develop a variety of cancers than other people. This is because they are constantly exposed to toxins that could lead to lung cancers, such as asbestos and sand dust (silica) and diesel fumes, welding fumes and creosote.
Railroad employees who have been diagnosed with cancer as the result of on-the-job exposure should speak to a lawyer for railroads as quickly as they can. They can assist them in determining if they have a claim against their former employers and initiate the appropriate lawsuits in accordance with FELA. These lawsuits could result in the payment of medical expenses, loss of income, as well as pain and discomfort. Additionally, they can pay for the loss of a loved one as part of a wrongful death claim. An experienced railroad lawyer will assist victims to receive the maximum amount of damages they are entitled to, under FELA.
FELA
Railroad workers, such as engineers, conductors, and members of train crews often work in hazardous environments which can cause lung damage without even realizing it. Former railroad employees who have developed lung cancer or another condition that could be due to their work may apply for compensation under Federal Employers Liability (FELA).
Contrary to workers' compensation FELA allows railroad employees who have been injured to sue. This includes past and future medical costs and emotional suffering. A lawyer familiar with the rules of FELA can explain your options for filing.
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, failing to meet the standard of reasonable care and more. A skilled FELA lawyer could review your case to determine whether negligence on the part of the railroad contributed to your illness.
There are a variety of lung diseases and illnesses could be attributed to exposures from railroads. If you were exposed in your railroad career to diesel exhaust or other toxic substances like creosote or asbestos creosote, a mesothelioma lawyer will help you file an action for compensation under the FELA. Hughes Law Offices has handled FELA cases in the past, and have resulted in various verdicts and settlements.