FELA and Railroad Lawsuits
Railroad workers who are exposed to toxic chemicals such as diesel exhaust benzene, coal fumes or asbestos are at risk of developing serious illness including cancer. A successful FELA lawsuit can be awarded damages to cover medical expenses, lost income and suffering and pain.
Union Pacific recently awarded $7.5 Million to an employee of the railroad who contracted Leukemia. This is only one instance of how the justice system fights for the victims.
Benzene
Railroad workers are often exposed to chemical solvents and other hazardous materials, including benzene. Benzene is a highly evaporative liquid which can be absorbed via the skin or inhaled. It has been linked to various medical conditions, including cancer blood-related cancers, such as Lymphoma and leukemia, as well as bone-marrow disease. lawsuits against union pacific railroad is also a substance that causes cancer and a component in coal tar creosote which is used to protect railroad tie from heat, sunlight and rain.
A former rail worker claimed exposure to benzene while working with coal tar creosote on railroad ties triggered Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), which grew into Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A jury gave him $7.5 million last September.
If you've been diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses resulting from exposure to asbestos, benzene radioactive substances, and other hazardous chemicals have the right to file a claim for compensation under FELA. The statute of limitations can vary based on the type and extent of the cancer or disease. It is important to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
A railroad lawyer at 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, railroad workplaces and the harmful cancer-causing chemicals that railroad workers face on a daily basis.
Asbestos
Our lawyers have represented railroad employees who suffered from lung cancer and other health issues due to asbestos exposure. They often worked in areas like repair shops, engine rooms, and yards or on rail cars with derailments or on track equipment that contained asbestos insulation that was degrading. This kind of asbestos is extremely dangerous because, as it degrades tiny fibers are released into the air. These fibers are inhaled by railroad workers and could cause mesothelioma, lung cancer asbestosis, and pleural plaque.
Railroad workers are at the risk of developing lung disease from diesel exhaust, silicasand, and welding fumes. These fumes and particles can cause damage to the kidneys, lungs and gastrointestinal tract as well blood cells. These injuries are often discovered several years after the initial exposure and can cause many serious and debilitating medical issues.
Recent case against Conrail highlights the dangers that come with this type of work. The Appeals Court upheld a jury award of $2.3 million against Conrail, a railroad company, for an employee of the railroad who died of mesothelioma. The jury awarded damages for pain and suffering, loss of companionship, future medical costs and other losses. The case highlights the importance to work with an experienced attorney who can quickly determine whether an FELA claim is warranted.
Radioactive Substances
Railroad workers exposed to radioactive substances are at risk of developing certain types of cancers and other serious diseases. These substances are typically hidden in the materials used by railroads to clean tracks and other rail yards. It is often difficult to spot them unless the railroad company actively examines for alpha and Gamma radiation. If a railroad worker is diagnosed with cancer or another disease caused through exposure to carcinogenic substances during their work, they is able to make an FELA and receive compensation from his former employer.
Railroad workers are more likely than other workers to develop cancer. They are constantly exposed to toxic substances that can cause lung cancer. This includes asbestos, Sand (silica) as well as welding fumes and diesel.
A railroad lawyer is recommended to be consulted as soon as is possible by railroad employees who are diagnosed with cancer as a result of exposure to radiation to radiation while working. They can help them determine if there is a claim against the former employer and initiate the appropriate lawsuits based on FELA. These claims may include the payment of medical expenses, loss of income, pain and discomfort. In addition, they can pay for the loss of a loved one as part of the event of wrongful death. An experienced railroad lawyer can help victims get the maximum amount of compensation 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 workers who develop lung cancer or other conditions that could be caused by their job may file for compensation under Federal Employers Liability (FELA).
In contrast to workers' compensation, FELA allows railroad employees who have been injured to sue. This includes future and past medical costs and emotional suffering. A lawyer familiar with rules of FELA will be able to explain your options for filing.
In order to win a FELA lawsuit, you'll have to prove that your employer acted in a negligent way. Negligence could include breaking a law or rule or not achieving the acceptable standards of care, and much more. A FELA lawyer can review your case and determine whether railroad negligence was a factor in your illness.
Railroad exposure can trigger a variety of lung illnesses. If you were exposed during your railroad career to diesel exhaust or other toxins such as creosote or asbestos creosote, a mesothelioma lawyer can assist you in filing claims 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.