FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Workers exposed to harmful chemicals like coal fumes, diesel exhaust or asbestos can be diagnosed with serious illnesses like cancer. A successful FELA case could award damages to compensate for medical expenses, loss of income and pain and suffering.
A railroad worker suffering from leukemia recently received $7.5 million from Union Pacific. This is only one example of how the justice system stands up for the injured.
Benzene
Railroad workers frequently work with chemical solvents and other hazardous substances, such as benzene. The evaporation rate of benzene is high. liquid that can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled. It has been linked to a range of medical conditions, including cancer, blood cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia, as well as bone marrow disease. It can also be a cancer-causing agent and is a component of coal tar creosote that is used to protect railroad ties from sunlight, heat and rain.
A former railroad worker claimed that his exposure to benzene while working with coal-tar creosote in order to create railroad ties, lead to Myelodysplastic Syndrome. union pacific railroad lawsuit progressed to Acute Myeloid leukemia. A jury handed him $7.5 million last September.
People who have been diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses because of their exposure to benzene asbestos radioactive substances, and other hazardous chemicals, have the right to claim compensation under FELA. The statute of limitations can differ based on the nature and degree of cancer or disease. It is crucial to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as you can.
A railroad attorney from Shaw Cowart can help you determine whether your case is eligible for a FELA claim. We provide no-cost consultations and are familiar with FELA and railroad workplaces as well as the hazardous cancer-causing substances that railroad employees face every day.
Asbestos
Our attorneys have represented railroad workers who developed lung cancer and other illnesses due to asbestos exposure. They worked in areas like repair shops, engine room and yards, as well as on track equipment or rail cars that contained asbestos insulation. This kind of asbestos can be particularly dangerous, because when it deteriorates tiny fibers are released in the air. These fibers could be inhaled by railroad workers and cause mesothelioma as well as other asbestos-related diseases including lung cancer, asbestosis, pleural plaque and fibrosis.
In cancer lawsuit to asbestos railroad workers are at risk of developing lung disease due to diesel exhaust as well as exposure to other workplace toxins, such as welding fumes, solvents and silica sand. These particles and fumes can damage the lungs, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract, as well as blood cells. These injuries are often diagnosed several years after exposure, and can cause a variety serious and debilitating conditions.
Recent case against Conrail shows the dangers that come with this type of work. The Appeals Court upheld a jury award of $2.3 million to Conrail for an employee of the railroad who died of mesothelioma. The jury awarded damages to cover suffering and suffering as well as companionship loss, future medical expenses and other losses. Bladder cancer lawsuit of working with a seasoned lawyer who can quickly assess whether a FELA claim is warranted.
Radioactive Substances
Workers exposed to radioactive substances can develop cancers or other serious illnesses. These substances are often hidden in the materials railroads use to clean tracks and other rail yards. It can be difficult to identify them unless the railroad's company screens for alpha and Gamma radiation. If a railway worker develops cancer or another ailment caused by exposure to carcinogenic substances at work, he is able to make an FELA and receive compensation from the company he worked for previously.
Research has revealed that railroad workers are much 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, or diesel fumes.
Railroad employees who have been diagnosed with cancer as the result of on-the-job exposure should consult a railroad lawyer as soon as is possible. They can assist them in determining whether they have a claim against the former employer and file the appropriate lawsuits that are based on FELA. These claims can include the payment of medical expenses, loss of income and suffering and pain. They can also compensate for the loss of a loved one through an wrongful-death case. A railroad lawyer with experience can assist victims in obtaining the maximum amount of damages that 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. If a former railroad employee has contracted an illness, such as lung cancer or another illness that could have been related to their work and work, they could be eligible to claim compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
Unlike workers' compensation claims, FELA allows injured railroad employees as well as the families of deceased employees to pursue claims for damages, including future and past emotional suffering and medical expenses. An attorney familiar with FELA regulations could explain to you the legal options.
In order to win a FELA lawsuit, you will need to prove that the employer acted in a negligent way. The definition of negligence can be as simple as breaking a rule or law, failing to meet an acceptable standard of care, and many more. A FELA lawyer can evaluate your case and determine whether railroad negligence caused your illness.
There are a variety of lung diseases and illnesses can be attributed to exposures to railroads. If you were exposed during your railroad work to diesel exhaust or other toxins, such as creosote, asbestos, or creosote, a mesothelioma lawyer could help you file an application for compensation under the FELA. Hughes Law Offices has handled FELA cases in the past, and have resulted in a variety settlements and verdicts.