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 serious illness such as cancer. A successful FELA case can award damages to compensate for medical costs, loss of income, pain and suffering.
Union Pacific recently awarded $7.5 Million to an employee of the railroad who contracted Leukemia. This is just one instance of how the justice system defends for the injured.
Benzene
Railroad workers are often exposed to dangerous substances and chemical solvents, including benzene. Benzene is a highly evaporative liquid that can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled. It has been linked to a range of medical ailments, including cancer, blood cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia, as well as bone marrow diseases. It is also a carcinogen as well as part of coal tar creosote, which is used to shield railroad tracks from heat, sunlight snow, rain and sun.
A former railroad worker claimed that his exposure to benzene while working with coal-tar creosote in order to create railroad ties, contributed to Myelodysplastic Syndrome. This progressed to Acute Myeloid leukemia. A jury awarded him $7.5 million last September.
Those who have been diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses that result from daily exposure to asbestos, benzene radioactive substances, benzene and other hazardous chemicals can seek compensation under FELA. The statute of limitations can differ based on the nature and severity of the cancer or illness. It is crucial to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as you can.
A railroad lawyer at Shaw Cowart can help you determine whether your case is eligible for a FELA claim. We offer free consultations and are conversant with FELA railway workplaces, FELA and the hazardous cancer-causing substances that railroad employees face on a daily basis.
Asbestos
Our lawyers have represented railroad employees who developed lung cancer or other illnesses due to asbestos exposure. They often worked in areas like repair shops, engine rooms and yards as well as on rail cars that were damaged or on track equipment that contained asbestos insulation that was becoming degraded. This kind of asbestos can be particularly hazardous, since when it is degraded, tiny fibers are released in the air. These fibers could be inhaled by railroad workers and can cause mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related health issues including lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaque and fibrosis.
Railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases from diesel exhaust, silicasand and welding fumes. These particles and fumes could cause damage to the kidneys, lungs, gastrointestinal tract and blood cells. These injuries are often discovered many years after an employee's initial exposure and can cause various severe and debilitating medical conditions.
The recent case against Conrail shows the dangers that come with this type of work. The Appeals Court has upheld a jury verdict of $2.3million against Conrail in the case of a former railway worker who passed away from mesothelioma. A jury awarded damages for his suffering and pain, loss of companionship, future medical expenses and other expenses. This case highlights the importance to work with an experienced lawyer who can quickly assess whether an FELA claim is warranted.
Radioactive Substances
People who are exposed to radioactive substances can develop cancers or other serious diseases. These substances are typically hidden in the materials railroads employ to clean track and other rail yards. It can be difficult to recognize them unless the railroad's business actively checks for alpha and Gamma radiation. If a railroad worker is diagnosed with cancer or another ailment caused through exposure to carcinogenic substances at work, he can file a FELA and receive compensation from the former employer.
Research has proven that railroad workers are more likely to develop various cancers than other people. They are continuously exposed to toxic substances that can cause lung cancer. They are exposed to asbestos or Sand (silica) and welding fumes, or diesel fumes.
A lawyer for railroads must be sought out as soon as possible by railroad workers who are diagnosed with cancer as a result of exposure to radiation to radiation while working. They can help them determine whether they have a claim against the former employer and initiate the appropriate lawsuits in accordance with FELA. These claims can include reimbursement for medical expenses as well as loss of income and suffering and pain. In addition, they can compensate for the loss of a loved one in a wrongful death case. A skilled railroad lawyer can assist victims get the maximum amount of compensation they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Railroad workers such as engineers, conductors and train crew members are often exposed to hazardous conditions that can harm lungs without realizing it. If a former railroad employee is suffering from an illness such as lung cancer or another condition that could be connected to their job, they may be able to claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
Unlike workers' compensation, FELA allows railroad workers who have been injured to file a lawsuit. This includes past and future medical costs and emotional suffering. blacklands railroad lawsuit who is familiar with rules under FELA can explain your options for filing.
In order to be successful in a FELA claim, you must prove that your employer acted negligently. The definition of negligence can include breaking a law or rule or failing to adhere to an acceptable standard of care, and many more. A FELA lawyer will review your case and determine whether railroad negligence caused your condition.
Several different types of lung diseases and illnesses could be linked to exposures to the railroad. If you were exposed to asbestos, diesel exhaust creosote or other toxins during your employment on the railway, a qualified mesothelioma attorney will assist you in claiming compensation under FELA. The FELA cases handled by Hughes Law Offices in the past have resulted in a range of verdicts and settlements.