FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Workers who are exposed to toxic chemicals, such as coal fumes, diesel exhaust or asbestos may be diagnosed with serious illnesses like cancer. A successful FELA claim can provide compensation for medical expenses, income loss pain and suffering, among other things.
Union Pacific recently awarded $7.5 Million to a railroad worker who developed Leukemia. This is only one example of the justice system standing up for victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers are often exposed to hazardous substances and chemical solvents like benzene. It is a highly evaporated liquid which can be absorbed via the skin or inhaled. It has been linked to a variety of medical illnesses, including blood cancers, cancers of the blood like leukemia and lymphoma, and bone marrow diseases. It is also a substance that causes cancer and a component of coal tar creosote, which is used to shield railroad tie from sunlight, heat and rain.
A former rail worker claimed that exposure to benzene during his work with coal tar creosote on railroad ties caused Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), which grew into Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A jury gave the man $7.5 million in September of last year.
Anyone diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses that result from exposure to benzene, asbestos, radioactive substances and other toxic chemicals are entitled to make a claim for compensation under FELA. The statute of limitations can vary based on the type and severity of the cancer or disease. It is important to seek out an experienced lawyer immediately.
A railroad attorney from Shaw Cowart can help you determine whether your case is eligible for a FELA claim. We provide free consultations and are well-versed with FELA and railroad workplaces as well as the harmful cancer-causing chemicals that railroad employees face every day.
Asbestos
Our lawyers have represented railroad workers who contracted lung cancer and other health conditions caused by asbestos exposure. They frequently worked in areas such as repair shops, engine rooms, and yards, on derailed rail cars or on track equipment that was asbestos insulation that was deteriorating. This kind of asbestos is especially dangerous because, as it degrades, tiny fibers are released into air. These fibers are inhaled by workers on railroads and can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural plaque.
Railroad workers are at the risk of developing lung cancer from diesel exhaust, silica sand and welding fumes. These particles and fumes can damage the kidneys, lungs and gastrointestinal tract as well as blood cells. These injuries can be diagnosed several years after exposure, and can cause to debilitating and serious diseases.
A recent case involving Conrail highlights the dangers of this type of work. The Appeals Court upheld a jury award of $2.3 million to Conrail, a railroad company, for an employee of the railroad who died of mesothelioma. railroad lawsuit settlements awarded damages to compensate for suffering and suffering along with companionship loss, future medical expenses and other losses. This case emphasizes the importance of working closely with an experienced attorney who will quickly determine if a FELA claim is legitimate.
Radioactive Substances
Workers exposed to radioactive substances can develop cancers or other serious illnesses. These substances are often concealed in the materials that railroads employ to clean track and other rail yards. It can be difficult to detect them unless the railroad company actively screens for alpha and Gamma radiation. If a railway worker develops cancer or another ailment caused by exposure to carcinogenic substances at work, he may submit a FELA and receive compensation from the company he worked for previously.
Railroad workers are more prone than other workers to develop cancer. This is because they are constantly exposed to toxins that can lead to lung cancer, such as asbestos, sand dust (silica) and diesel fumes, welding fumes and creosote.
Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer as the result of exposure to radiation on the job should speak to a railroad lawyer as soon as they can. They can assist them in determining if they have a claim against their former employers and file the appropriate lawsuits under FELA. These claims can include the payment of medical expenses, loss of income, and discomfort and pain. Additionally, they may pay for the loss of a loved ones in a wrongful death claim. A knowledgeable railroad attorney can assist victims get the maximum amount of compensation they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Railroad workers like engineers, conductors, and members of train crews are often exposed to hazardous conditions that can harm lungs without even realizing it. Former railroad employees who have developed lung cancer or other ailments that could have been caused by their job can claim compensation under Federal Employers Liability (FELA).
As opposed to workers' compensation claims, FELA allows injured railroad employees and the families of deceased employees to sue for damages including past and future emotional suffering and medical expenses. A lawyer familiar with rules of FELA could provide you with options for filing.
To win a FELA lawsuit, you will need to prove that the employer acted in a negligent way. It could be a matter of breaking a rule or law, failing to meet the reasonable standards of care, and so on. A FELA lawyer can review your case and determine if railroad negligence was the cause of your illness.
Railroad exposure can lead to a variety of lung illnesses. If you were exposed during your career as a railroad worker to diesel exhaust or other toxins such as creosote, asbestos, or creosote, a mesothelioma lawyer could help you file a claim for compensation under the FELA. The FELA cases handled by Hughes Law Offices in the past have led to a variety of verdicts and settlements.