FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Railroad workers who are exposed to toxic chemicals like coal fumes diesel exhaust benzene or asbestos are at risk of developing a serious illness such as cancer. A successful FELA case can award damages to cover medical expenses, loss of income and suffering and pain.
A railroad worker who was diagnosed with leukemia has been awarded $7.5 million from Union Pacific. This is just one example of the justice system standing up for victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers are often exposed to dangerous substances and chemical solvents, which include benzene. Benzene, a liquid that is highly evaporative is absorbed through the skin or inhaled. It is linked to various medical conditions, including cancer blood-related cancers like leukemia and Lymphoma, and bone-marrow diseases. It is also a carcinogen and is a component of coal creosote. It’s used to protect railroad tieways from heat, sunlight snow, rain, and sunlight.
One former rail worker claimed his exposure to benzene during his work with coal tar creosote on railroad lawsuit settlements ties triggered Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), which grew into Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A jury gave him $7.5 million last September.
Those who have been diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses because of their exposure to radioactive substances benzene asbestos and other harmful chemicals, are entitled to claim compensation under FELA. Depending on the type of cancer or illness the statute of limitation could differ, so it is important to consult with a knowledgeable lawyer as quickly as you can.
Shaw Cowart’s railroad lawyers can help you determine if your case is a candidate to be a FELA lawsuit. We provide no-cost consultations and are familiar with FELA as well as railroad workplaces and the dangerous cancer-causing substances many railroad employees are exposed to on a daily basis.
Asbestos
Our lawyers have represented railroad workers who suffered from lung cancer and other health conditions due to asbestos exposure. They were often employed in areas like repair shops, engine rooms and yards as well as on rail cars that were damaged or on track equipment that had asbestos insulation that was deteriorating. This kind of asbestos is particularly hazardous because, when it gets deteriorated, tiny fibers are released into the air. The fibers are breathed in by railroad workers and could cause mesothelioma or class action lawsuit against norfolk southern railroad lung cancer as well as asbestosis and pleural plaque.
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 many years after the initial exposure and can result in to a myriad of serious and debilitating diseases.
Recent case against Conrail highlights the dangers associated with this type work. The Appeals Court has upheld a jury verdict of $2.3million against the railroad company in respect of a former railway worker who died from mesothelioma. The jury awarded damages to cover suffering and suffering as well as companionship loss, future medical expenses and other losses. This case highlights the importance of working closely with an experienced lawyer who can quickly determine whether a FELA claim is warranted.
Radioactive Substances
Anyone exposed to radioactive materials may develop cancers or other serious illnesses. These substances are often hidden in the materials that railroads employ to clean tracks and other rail yards. It can be difficult to recognize them unless the railroad company tests for Gamma and Alpha radiation. If a railroad employee develops cancer or another illness caused through exposure to carcinogenic substances at work, he may make a FELA and receive compensation from the company he worked for previously.
Research has revealed that workers in the railroad industry are more likely to develop a variety of cancers than other people. They are continuously exposed to chemicals that can cause lung cancer. They are exposed to asbestos or Sand (silica) and welding fumes and diesel.
A railroad lawyer is recommended to be consulted as soon as is possible by railroad lawsuit employees who have been diagnosed as having cancer as a result of exposure during their work. They can assist them in determining whether they have a legal claim against their former employers and file the appropriate lawsuits under FELA. These claims could include compensation for medical expenses and income loss as well as suffering and pain. They may also be compensated for the death of a loved in a wrongful-death claim. An experienced railroad lawyer can assist victims receive the full amount of compensation they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Conductors, engineers and train crew members work in hazardous environments where they can damage their lungs without even realizing. Former railroad employees who have developed lung cancer or any other condition that could be caused by their job can claim compensation under Federal Employers Liability (FELA).
In contrast to claims for workers’ compensation, FELA allows injured railroad employees and families of deceased employees to pursue claims for damages, including past and future medical expenses and Class Action Lawsuit Against Norfolk Southern Railroad emotional suffering. An attorney familiar with FELA regulations can tell you the legal options.
To prevail in a FELA lawsuit, you’ll need to prove that the employer acted negligently in a manner. Negligence may involve breaking a rule or law or not meeting the reasonable standards of care and more. A FELA lawyer can review your case and determine if railroad negligence was the cause of your condition.
Railroad exposure can cause 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 help you file an class action lawsuit against union pacific railroad class action lawsuit against norfolk southern railroad lawsuit against norfolk southern railroad (Continued) for compensation under the FELA. Hughes Law Offices has handled FELA cases in the past, and they have led to a variety of settlements and verdicts.