FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
People exposed to toxic chemicals like coal fumes, diesel exhaust or asbestos could suffer from serious illnesses such as cancer. A successful FELA claim can award damages that will cover medical expenses loss of income suffering and more.
Union Pacific recently awarded $7.5 Million to one of their railroad workers who developed Leukemia. This is just one illustration of how the justice system stands up for the victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers are often exposed to hazardous materials and chemical solvents, including benzene. It is a highly evaporative liquid, can be absorbed by the skin or inhaled. It has been linked to a range of medical ailments, including cancer, blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, and bone marrow diseases. It can also be a cancer-causing agent and a constituent in coal tar creosote which is used to protect railroad ties from heat, sunlight and rain.
A former rail worker claimed that exposure to benzene while working with coal-tar creosote in order to create railroad ties, led to Myelodysplastic Syndrome. This progressed to Acute Myeloid leukemia. A jury awarded the man $7.5 million in September the year before.
Those who have been diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses resulting from daily exposure to asbestos, benzene radioactive substances, and other dangerous chemicals are entitled to submit a claim for compensation under FELA. The statute of limitations can differ based on the nature and severity of the cancer or disease. It is essential to consult an experienced attorney immediately.
Shaw Cowart's railroad attorneys can assist you in determining whether your case is suitable to be a FELA lawsuit. We offer no-cost consultations, and we're familiar with FELA and railroad workplaces.
Asbestos
Our attorneys have represented railroad employees who developed lung cancer or other health conditions as a result of asbestos exposure. They typically worked in areas like repair shops, engine rooms and yards or on rail cars with derailments or on track equipment that had asbestos insulation that was deteriorating. This kind of asbestos is particularly dangerous because, when it gets deteriorated, tiny fibers are released into air. The fibers can be breathed in by railroad workers and can cause mesothelioma, as well as other asbestos-related diseases including lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaque and fibrosis.
In addition to asbestos, railroad workers are also at high risk for developing lung disease due to diesel exhaust as well as exposure to other workplace toxins, such as welding fumes, solvents and silica sand. These fumes can cause damage to the kidneys, lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. These injuries are often diagnosed several years after exposure, and can cause to debilitating and serious ailments.
A recent case involving Conrail exposes the dangers associated with this kind of work. The Appeals Court has upheld a jury verdict of $2.3million against Conrail in respect of a former railway worker who died of mesothelioma. The jury awarded damages for his suffering and pain, as well as loss of companionship, future medical expenses and other losses. The case highlights the importance of working with a seasoned attorney who can quickly evaluate whether a FELA claim is legitimate.
Radioactive Substances
Railroad workers exposed to radioactive substances are at risk for developing certain types of cancers and other serious illnesses. They are often concealed in the materials used by railroads to clean tracks and other rail yards. It is often difficult to recognize them unless the railroad's business actively screens for alpha and Gamma radiation. If a railway worker is diagnosed with cancer or a different illness due to exposure to carcinogenic chemicals on the job, they are able to make a FELA claim and receive compensation from their former employer.
Research has shown that railway workers are more likely to develop various cancers than other people. They are continuously exposed to the toxins that can cause lung cancer. They are exposed to asbestos as well as Sand (silica) as well as welding fumes and diesel.
A railroad lawyer must be sought out as soon as is possible by railroad employees who have been diagnosed with cancer as a result of exposure to radiation during their work. They can assist them in determining whether they have a claim against their former employers and submit the appropriate lawsuits under FELA. These lawsuits could result in compensation for medical expenses loss of income, and pain and discomfort. Additionally, they can compensate for the loss of a loved ones in the event of wrongful death. class action lawsuit against railroads can help victims receive the full amount of damages they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Railroad workers such as engineers, conductors, and members of train crews are often exposed to hazardous conditions that can damage lungs without even realizing it. Former railroad employees who have developed lung cancer or another condition that could be caused by their job may apply for compensation under Federal Employers Liability (FELA).
Contrary to claims for workers' compensation, FELA allows injured railroad employees and the families of deceased employees to sue for damages including future and past medical expenses and emotional suffering. An attorney who is familiar with FELA regulations could explain to you the options available to.
In order to win a FELA lawsuit, you'll have to prove that your employer acted in a negligent way. It could be a matter of breaking a rule or law and not observing a reasonable standard of care, and many more. A FELA lawyer can evaluate your case and determine if railroad negligence caused your condition.
Railroad exposure can trigger a variety of lung diseases. If you were exposed to diesel exhaust, asbestos, creosote and other toxins throughout your career on the railroad, a reputable mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in obtaining compensation under FELA. Hughes Law Offices has handled FELA cases in the past and have resulted a variety of verdicts and settlements.