FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
People exposed to toxic chemicals, such as coal fumes, diesel exhaust or asbestos could develop serious illnesses, including cancer. A successful FELA case can award damages to cover medical expenses, lost income as well as suffering and pain.
Union Pacific recently awarded $7.5 Million to a railroad worker who developed Leukemia. This is just one example of the justice system standing up for the victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers are often exposed to chemical solvents and other hazardous substances, such as benzene. It is a highly evaporative liquid can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled. It has been linked with various medical conditions, including cancer blood-related cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, and bone-marrow disease. It is also a substance that causes cancer and a component in coal tar creosote that 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 create railroad ties, contributed to Myelodysplastic Syndrome. This progressed to Acute Myeloid leukemia. A jury gave the man $7.5 million in September the year before.
If you've been diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses that result from exposure to benzene, asbestos, radioactive substances and other hazardous chemicals have the right to make a claim for compensation under FELA. Depending on the type of cancer or illness the time limit for filing a claim may vary, so it is essential to consult with a knowledgeable lawyer as soon as possible.
A railroad lawyer at Shaw Cowart can help you determine if your case is a valid FELA claim. We provide free consultations and are familiar with FELA railway workplaces, FELA and the cancer-causing chemicals railroad employees face every day.
Asbestos
Our lawyers have represented railroad workers who were diagnosed with lung cancer and other health issues due to asbestos exposure. They often worked in areas such as repair shops, engine rooms, and yards or on rail cars with derailments or on track equipment that contained deteriorating asbestos insulation. This type of asbestos can be particularly hazardous, since when it gets degraded, tiny fibres are released in the air. The fibers are breathed in by workers on railroads and can cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and the pleural plaque.
In addition to asbestos railroad workers are at risk of developing lung ailments 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 lungs, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. These injuries can be detected several years after exposure, and can cause various serious and debilitating diseases.
Recent cases against Conrail illustrates the risks associated with this type of work. The Appeals Court has upheld a jury verdict of $2.3million against Conrail, the railroad company, in respect of a former railway worker who passed away from mesothelioma. The jury awarded damages for suffering and pain, loss of companionship, future medical costs and other losses. This case illustrates the importance of working closely with an experienced attorney who can quickly assess whether an FELA claims is warranted.
Radioactive Substances
Workers exposed to radioactive substances may develop cancers or other serious diseases. These substances are typically hidden in the materials railroads employ to clean track and other rail yards. They are often difficult to spot unless the railroad company is actively testing them for alpha and gamma radiation. If a railway worker is diagnosed with cancer or another disease caused by exposure to carcinogenic substances on the job, they can file an FELA claim and receive compensation from their former employer.
Railroad workers are more likely than others to develop cancers. They are constantly exposed toxic substances that can cause lung cancer. These include asbestos, Sand (silica) and welding fumes or diesel fumes.
A railroad lawyer is recommended to be consulted as soon as possible by railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer because of exposure on the job. 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. acute myeloid leukemia lawsuit may include compensation for medical expenses loss of income, and discomfort and pain. They can also compensate for the death of a loved one as the case of wrongful death. An experienced railroad lawyer will assist victims to receive the full amount of compensation they are entitled to under FELA.
FELA
Conductors, engineers and train crew members work in hazardous environments that can cause damage to their lungs without even realizing. Former railroad workers who have developed lung cancer or any other condition that could have been caused by their work can claim compensation under Federal Employers Liability (FELA).
Contrary to workers' compensation FELA allows railroad workers who have been injured to file a lawsuit. This includes past and future emotional and medical expenses. An attorney who is familiar with FELA regulations can explain to you the legal options.
In order to prevail in a FELA claim you must prove that your employer acted negligently. It could be a matter of breaking a rule or law and not meeting an acceptable standard of care, and more. A FELA lawyer can review your case and determine if railroad negligence contributed to your condition.
There are a variety of lung diseases and illnesses can be attributed to exposures from railroads. If you were exposed to asbestos, diesel exhaust creosote, or other toxins during your employment on the railway, a qualified mesothelioma attorney can assist you in obtaining compensation under FELA. Hughes Law Offices has handled FELA cases in the past and have led to a variety of settlements and verdicts.