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Railroad Lawsuits and Asthma

Rail workers are frequently exposed to harmful fumes and chemicals like silica and asbestos. These exposures can lead to pulmonary disorders such as asthma.

Fortunately, victims can seek compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). A reputable railroad cancer lawsuit lawsuit asthma lawyer will aid. Read on for some examples of verdicts that have been successful and settlements.

Diesel Exhaust

Because trains are powered by diesel fuels, railroad workers are constantly exposed to diesel fumes. These fumes are composed of tiny soot particles gases, and other toxic chemicals that could cause serious health issues. The exposure to these fumes can contribute to asthma and other lung illnesses.

Since decades railroads have been conscious of the dangers associated with diesel exhaust. Many companies have not implemented adequate safeguards to protect their employees. As a result, many railroad workers have developed respiratory ailments that are severe and debilitating.

Excessive exposure to diesel fumes when coupled with other workplace hazards, such as asbestos, railroad creosote, and silica can cause life-altering lung diseases, including asthma. These symptoms could prevent railroad workers from returning to their jobs and could even affect their quality of life.

In one case our attorneys successfully secured the rights of a FELA lawsuit brought by an engineer for locomotives who claimed he was diagnosed with leukemia and other cancers due to his exposure to toxic diesel fumes and toxic chemicals when working on railroad equipment. The court granted summary judgement for the railroad defendants, deciding that Plaintiff did not make an adequate research into the details of his condition at the time of diagnosis and the claims were time-barred.

Dust

Rail workers are exposed to a variety of dusts, including silica from ballast and coal dust. They are also exposed to petroleum or chemical fuels. These toxic substances can be harmful to health and can cause respiratory diseases like asthma.

Our FELA attorney has helped a lot of people pursue compensation for their exposure to these substances. Fortunately, FELA allows workers who have been diagnosed with certain ailments to claim their employers are accountable for failing to safeguard workers from hazardous work environments.

For instance an Montana jury awarded $3.7 million to an engineer from the past who was afflicted with pulmonary fibrosis, which is a progressive lung disease that is caused by scarring of lung tissue. In his FELA claim, he claimed that the inhalation of diesel fumes hundreds, or even thousands of times, contributed to the onset and progress of his lung disease. Jurors were not persuaded by the testimony of defense experts that the engineer's lung disease must have an unrelated cause.

Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Sierra Club also successfully filed a lawsuit against BNSF Railroad over its coal trains. Every time a train goes through the Gorge and pollutes sensitive habitats for wildlife and plants, tributary streams, wetlands, and the Columbia River with coal dust and debris. In the wake of this lawsuit, BNSF will stop transporting coal through the Gorge and other areas.

Asbestos

Railroad workers have long been exposed to hazardous chemicals. Although asbestos has been largely removed from the workplace, a variety of toxic substances remain. Chemical solvents can cause respiratory illnesses and asthma. union pacific railroad lawsuit employees may sue their employers to seek compensation.

In one case the jury ruled that a 61-year-old engineer in the field was suffering from asthma caused by diesel due to his work in the railroad. This illness caused him to be on medical leave and lose wages. He also underwent two back surgeries, including a multilevel lumbar spine fusion. All of this amounted to significant medical expenses.

He stated that while working on different railways he was exposed to exhaust fumes from diesel engines strong odors, silica dust particles, spray paints and chemical compounds as well as black smoke and welding and engine oil. His chest tightened and throat hurt. He also had difficulty swallowing. He suffered from bronchitis and allergies too.

The railroads successfully argued that the agreements signed by the plaintiff in 1996 should not bar his new suit because he knew of the risk at the time he was exposed asbestos. Hughes Law Offices argued that the statute should be enacted until the plaintiff is diagnosed with cancer to allow him to seek medical care and determine if his condition is related to his job.

Poor Ventilation

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with lung cancer mesothelioma, lung diseases or any other type of cancer that could be related to working in the railroad industry, you could be entitled to file an action under FELA against the company which employed you. FELA lawsuits against union pacific railroad can provide compensation for medical costs, lost wages, suffering and pain and other damages. Contact an Houston FELA lawyer today to discuss your case.

A jury gave $2.6 million to a former Conrail engineer in his occupational illness trial after determining what caused the asthma he suffered from. The jury concluded that his exposure to exhaust fumes from diesel engines was almost constant while crewing locomotives in rail yards. The plaintiffs' lawyers argued that railroads did not prevent exposure by not installing adequate ventilation in the cabs of locomotives.

In addition to the diesel fumes railroad workers breathe, they also frequently come into contact with toxic chemicals as well as other harmful substances during their jobs. In railroad maintenance and construction material, asbestos, benzene and other carcinogens may be found. Unfortunately, these hazardous substances can cause a myriad of diseases and illnesses, including respiratory disorders such as asthma.

If you suffer from asthma that is the result of your railway work, or in the case of someone you love who has been diagnosed with cancer that could be linked to the railroad industry, a Houston FELA lawyer can help you ensure that your employer is held accountable for their incompetence. Contacting an experienced attorney immediately will increase your chances of receiving the financial compensation you're entitled to for the losses and suffering.