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Emphysema Railroad Lawsuits

Railroad workers may suffer from serious lung illnesses such as Emphysema railroad settlements from long-term exposure to asbestos and diesel exhaust. Our FELA attorneys are committed to helping them gain justice.

Our firm successfully represented an engineer for the locomotive from Toledo, Ohio who suffered from laryngeal cancer as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The jury awarded him damages under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). The railroad appealed.

Diesel Exhaust

Diesel exhaust is a complicated mixture of gases, vapours and aerosols that contains various harmful substances. In addition to diesel smog, it contains carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulate matter. The fine particles in diesel fumes are able to breathe and can therefore enter the lung. Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust can result in a variety of health problems, including breathing problems as well as nasal and eye irritation, headaches and nausea, loss in coordination, and even lung cancer disease.

Diesel engine exhaust is a source of hundreds of chemicals, among them some known to cause cancer. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) is a division of the World Health Organization, has classified diesel exhaust as carcinogenic to humans.

The IARC's classification for diesel engine exhaust cites occupational research that shows a link between diesel fumes exposure and respiratory ailments such as lung cancer. Smoking and lifestyle choices related to work, for example working for long periods in spaces that are poorly ventilated or in enclosed spaces, can increase these impacts.

Diesel engines use Diesel Exhaust fluid to reduce emissions from diesel exhaust. It is a mix of urea, water and other ingredients. Urea is an organic byproduct of the metabolic process that occurs in mammals and is often found in urine. In the Diesel Exhaust Fluid manufacturing process, it's combined with other substances and then heated in a catalytic converter to create ammonia and isocyanic acids.

Asbestos

Railroad workers were often exposed to airborne asbestos which was a heat-resistant mineral that also acts as a fire retardant. It was extensively used for Emphysema Railroad Lawsuits various rail-related equipment, such as trains and locomotives. As these materials degrade, they release microscopic asbestos fibers that are released into the air. Inhaling these fibers could cause serious lung diseases like asbestosis or mesothelioma.

Rail companies knew asbestos could cause illness and death for their workers, yet they did little to protect them. This is a clear breach of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

Asbestos is comprised of natural fibers and are inert to heat. The fibers can remain in the air for days after being disturbed. This allows people to inhale the fibers. Inhaling asbestos fibers can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing permanent lung damage. Asbestosis and other asbestos-related illnesses can take years to appear. They are also often mistaken for other ailments which makes mesothelioma extremely difficult to diagnose in its early stages.

Compensation is awarded to railroaders with mesothelioma and other related ailments. They put their lives and time into a career which was brutally ruined by mesothelioma. It deprived them from the enjoyment they had enjoyed in their golden years. Doran & Murphy's lawyers can help families get the justice they deserve.

Malpractice

Railroad workers may suffer from a variety of serious illnesses including lung conditions like Emphysema railroad cancer settlements and COPD. If you've developed these or other ailments because of your work on the railroad, you could be eligible for compensation under FELA. We can help you determine whether your case is valid and submit a claim on behalf.

In one FELA case, we secured settlement for railroad conductors who was diagnosed with debilitating asthma as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to the years spent in the cabs of locomotives and breathing in diesel exhaust. The FELA lawsuit claimed that the railroad was negligent in exposing him to this harmful particulate.

Many of the chemicals that are used on railroads are harmful and have been proven to cause diseases. However, railroad corporations are not accountable for the harm caused by their products. A knowledgeable attorney can analyze your case and ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation under FELA. Our firm has handled a wide variety of railroad injuries and will be able to answer all your questions during a no-cost consultation. Call today to schedule an appointment.

Wrongful Death

When a person dies as result of the negligent behavior, misdeeds, or actions of a third party, survivors can file a wrongful death lawsuit. It is a civil lawsuit that is subject to a lower proof standard than a criminal trial. Victims may seek compensation. The survivors of the family members can recover economic damages and noneconomic loss, including pain and suffering, loss of companionship and a portion of the deceased's estate.

Certain states have specific statutes on the kinds of damages which can be given in a wrongful deaths case. Some leave it more open. The most common wrongful death claims comprise funeral and burial costs, lost wages, emotional distress loss of consortium, and punitive damages.

As we have mentioned, FELA gives victims of lung cancers or work-related lung diseases like obstructive lung disease, the opportunity to hold railroad corporations accountable. However, the most detrimental adverse health effects might not be evident for 20-30 or 40 years after a person's removal from the Emphysema railroad lawsuit.

Therefore, a majority of the claims that are brought under FELA are also wrongful death suits. The estate of a deceased individual can bring both a wrongful death claim and a survival suit, in which they may seek compensation for medical expenses as well as loss of companionship and other non-economic and economic losses that occurred prior to the death of the victim.