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FELA and Railroad Lawsuits

railroad lawsuit reactive airway disease workers exposed to toxic chemicals such as diesel exhaust fumes, coal vapors, benzene or asbestos are at risk of developing a serious illness including cancer. A successful FELA claim can award damages to compensate for medical expenses, income loss as well as pain and suffering.

Union Pacific recently awarded $7.5 Million to an employee of the railroad who contracted Leukemia. This is only one example of the justice system standing up for victims.

Benzene

Railroad workers are often exposed to chemical solvents, as well as other hazardous materials, including benzene. Benzene is a highly evaporative liquid which can be absorbed via the skin or inhaled. It has been linked with a variety of medical conditions, including cancer, blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, and bone marrow disease. It is also a cancer-causing chemical and a constituent in coal tar creosote that is used to shield railroad tie from sunlight, heat and rain.

A former railroad worker claimed that his exposure to benzene while working with coal-tar creosote to create railroad ties, contributed to Myelodysplastic Syndrome. This progressed to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A jury handed him $7.5 million last September.

Anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses due to daily exposure to benzene asbestos radioactive substances, and other hazardous chemicals, have the right to claim compensation under FELA. Depending on the type of cancer or illness the statute of limitations can vary, which is why it is imperative to speak with a skilled lawyer as soon as is possible.

Shaw Cowart's railroad lawsuit mds attorneys will help you determine if your case is eligible for an FELA lawsuit. We provide free consultations and are familiar with FELA as well as railroad workplaces and the dangerous cancer-causing substances many railroad lawsuit esophageal cancer workers face on a daily basis.

Asbestos

Our lawyers have represented railroad employees who were diagnosed with lung cancer or other health issues due to asbestos exposure. They typically 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 kind of asbestos is extremely dangerous because, when it deteriorates tiny fibers are released into air. These fibers are inhaled by railroad workers and cause mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases like lung cancer, asbestosis as well as pleural plaques and fibrosis.

In addition to asbestos railroad workers are at risk of developing lung diseases from diesel exhaust as well as exposure to other workplace toxics such as solvents, welding fumes and silica sand. These fumes can cause harm to the kidneys, lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. These injuries are often identified years after a worker's initial exposure and can lead to a variety of grave and debilitating health conditions.

Recent cases against Conrail shows the dangers associated with this kind of work. The Appeals Court has upheld a jury verdict of $2.3million against Conrail, the railroad company, in respect of an ex-railway worker who died from mesothelioma. The jury awarded damages for his suffering and suffering, loss of companionship, future medical expenses and other expenses. This case highlights the importance to work with an experienced attorney who can quickly determine whether an FELA claim is legitimate.

Radioactive Substances

People who are exposed to radioactive substances might develop cancers or serious diseases. These substances are often concealed in the materials that railroads employ to clean tracks and other rail yards. It can be difficult to identify them unless the railroad company actively screens for alpha and Gamma radiation. If a railway worker develops cancer or another illness caused by exposure to carcinogenic materials during their work, they could apply for an FELA and settlement receive compensation from his former employer.

railroad lawsuit leukemia workers are more prone than others to develop cancers. They are continuously exposed to the toxins that can cause lung cancer. This includes asbestos as well as sand (silica), welding fumes and diesel.

Railroad workers who have been diagnosed with cancer as a result of on-the-job exposure should consult a lawyer for railroads as quickly as possible. They can help them determine whether they have a claim against the former employer and initiate the appropriate lawsuits in accordance with FELA. These claims can include compensation for medical expenses, loss of income, as well as discomfort and pain. In addition, they could pay for the loss of a loved one in the event of wrongful death. An experienced railroad lawyer can assist victims receive the full amount of damages they are entitled to under FELA.

FELA

Conductors, settlement engineers, and train crew members work in dangerous environments where they could damage their lungs, without even realizing it. If a former railroad employee is suffering from an illness such as lung cancer or another illness which could be linked to their job or work, they may be eligible to file for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

In contrast to workers' compensation, FELA permits railroad employees who are injured to sue. This includes past and future emotional and medical expenses. An attorney who is familiar with the regulations under FELA can explain your options for filing.

To be successful in a FELA claim you must prove that your employer acted negligently. The definition of negligence can include breaking a rule or law and not observing the standard of reasonable care, and many more. A FELA lawyer will review your case and determine if railroad negligence was a factor in your illness.

Several different types of lung diseases and illnesses could be linked to exposures to the railroad. If you were exposed to asbestos, diesel exhaust, creosote or any other toxic substances during your time working on the railroad, a mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced can help you file for compensation under FELA. The FELA cases handled by Hughes Law Offices in the past have led to a variety of verdicts and settlements.