공지사항

Bladder Cancer and the Railroad

If a family is struggling with the stress of a cancer diagnosis, it is easy to ignore financial and paperwork. A knowledgeable lawyer for railroad accidents could provide legal assistance to ensure the future of your loved family members.

A lot of railroad workers are exposed to toxic chemicals that increase their risk for developing certain illnesses, including bladder cancer. A bnsf rail bladder cancer lawyer will review your case and determine if compensation is available under the Federal Employees' Liability Act.

Occupational Exposure to Hazardous chemicals

Railroad workers are exposed an array of hazardous chemicals, including diesel exhaust, welding fumes and herbicides. These chemicals can be breathed in or ingested, or absorbed via the skin. This exposure is linked to many long term health problems, including cancers of the prostate, lungs, bladder and prostate.

The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows railroad workers injured to pursue claims against their employers for injuries caused by exposure to toxic chemicals at work. The toxic fumes that are emitted from the cabs of locomotives, rail yards and shops can be hazardous for employees as they are frequently exposed these fumes for years or for decades.

These dangerous chemicals can trigger many symptoms, such as eye irritation, nausea, and in some cases respiratory diseases like asthma. These chemicals are also associated with cancers of the liver and lungs.

There is a chemical called Benzene that poses a risk to railway workers. This chemical is accidentally released when diesel fuel burns. In a train station, where multiple trains can come and depart on a daily basis, benzene gets inhaled more intensely because it doesn't dissipate easily in an enclosed space.

These claims are difficult to win, despite the obvious link between exposure to toxins and bladder cancer. Railroads with large pockets employ experts that claim that their workers weren't hurt. These experts will often argue that the exposures suffered by railroad workers are not different than those incurred by pedestrians on city streets.

Secondhand Smoke

Cigarette smoke, also known as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) or secondhand smoke, is a poisonous substance that has a number of well-known carcinogens. Arsenic, benzene and cadmium are all known carcinogens. In enclosed locomotive cabs, railroad workers can be exposed to a mixture of ETS and diesel exhaust. It is also known to cause lung cancer and other health issues. Exposures to diesel exhaust can cause bladder cancer. Exposure to diesel fumes and ETS could also trigger asthma and other respiratory issues.

FELA

Railroad workers are exposed various toxic substances, including diesel exhaust fumes, weed killers and silica dust found in gravel rail ties. These toxic exposures may cause cancer, lung and heart illnesses and other health issues. An experienced attorney could aid a railroad employee to prove the specific conditions that led to their condition and develop an extensive FELA claim.

Many times, railroad companies do not make the right measures to protect their employees from these harmful chemicals. A machinist, for example might be required to work in train yards as well as on trains without protection against diesel exhaust. Chemical exposures to hazardous chemicals can cause a variety of long-term illnesses like bladder cancer.

The Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) gives railroad workers the right of action against their employers for injuries. However, it is imperative that the injured railroad worker contacts a knowledgeable lawyer as soon as is possible due to a three year statute of limitations.

Unfortunately, a few railroad workers have been ripped off of by "FELA specialists" who promote their services on a national scale, claiming to be experts in bringing cases against railroads. Unfortunately, these so-called "specialists" have resulted in their clients losing in court and set a bad precedent for future cases.

Recoverable Damages

While the technological advances and safety measures that have been made in the railroad industry have made it much safer for workers, many of the dangerous chemicals and carcinogenic substances commonly used by the railroad industry could cause serious harm to the health of workers. A lawyer from the railroad industry can assist a worker injured to submit a successful compensation claim to compensate for the intangible effects of such exposures.

Roddy York Roddy York, a former BNSF employee, was diagnosed with bladder transitional-cell carcinoma. The cancer was linked to his prolonged exposure to various dangerous chemicals. asbestos and diesel exhaust were among them. York was also exposed during his work on railcars and locomotives to various solvents as well as degreasers. He was also exposed to creosote which is a toxic chemical that is linked to cancer.

In his lawsuit against BNSF York claimed that his long term exposure to toxic chemicals led to his developing bladder cancer. York also claimed that his exposure to the chemicals caused microscopic hematuria. To prove his claims, he hired two experts. Two of his expert witnesses were ruled out however, since the court decided that they did not meet the Daubert standard for admissibility.

In the final analysis the court decided that his FELA claim was dismissed. To claim damages under FELA a plaintiff has to have worked for a railway company at some point during their career, and must be able to prove that any injuries or illnesses they've suffered are connected to their job. If you have been diagnosed with a form of cancer and bnsf railway scleroderma believe that it's connected to your job in the railroad industry, a skilled railway bladder cancer lawyer from bnsf railway scleroderma can assist you in seeking compensation for your losses.