Don't Make This Silly Mistake When It Comes To Your Railroad Lawsuit Mds
Railroad Lawsuits and Asthma
Rail workers are frequently exposed to toxic fumes and chemicals like silica and asbestos. The exposures can result in pulmonary disorders such as asthma.
Fortunately, cancer lawsuit are able to recover compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). An asthma attorney for railroad lawsuits can aid. Here are some examples of settlements that have been successful and verdicts.
Diesel Exhaust
Because trains run on diesel fuels railroad workers are exposed all day to diesel fumes. These fumes consist of soot particles and harmful chemicals. Exposure to these fumes could be a contributing factor to the development of asthma and other pulmonary diseases.
Since decades, railroads have been aware of the risks associated with diesel exhaust. However, many companies have not taken sufficient steps to safeguard their employees. In the end, a few railroad workers have suffered from respiratory illnesses that are a major cause of death.
Exposure to diesel fumes, when coupled with other workplace hazards such asbestos, creosote and even silica, can lead to life-changing lung conditions, such as asthma. These ailments can stop railroad workers from returning back to work, and may even decrease their quality of life.
In one case the attorneys of our firm successfully defended an FELA claim by a former locomotive engineer who claimed to have developed leukemia and other cancers as a result of his exposure to diesel fumes as well as other toxic chemicals while working on railway equipment. The court granted summary judgment in favor of the railroads that were defendants, and ruled that Plaintiff did not conduct a reasonably diligent research into the details of his condition at the time of diagnosis, and that his claims were not time-barred.
Dust
Railroad workers are often exposed to various kinds of dust, including silica from coal dust, ballast, and chemical fuels or petroleum. Leukemia lawsuit can cause harm to one's health and can cause respiratory illness, such as asthma.
Our FELA lawyer has assisted a number of people get compensation for their exposure. FELA permits workers suffering from certain illnesses to hold employers accountable for not protecting them from dangerous workplaces.
For example for instance, a Montana jury awarded $3.7 million to a former locomotive engineer who suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disease caused by scarring of the lung tissue. His FELA claim alleged that the inhalation of diesel exhaust on hundreds, if not thousands, of occasions contributed to the development of his lung disease. The testimony of defense experts could not convince jurors that the locomotive engineer's lung disease was caused by some other reason.
Similar to this, Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Sierra Club successfully sued BNSF railroad over its coal trains. Every time a train passes through the Gorge and pollutes sensitive plant and wildlife habitat, stream tributary wetlands and the Columbia River with coal dust and other debris. As a result of this lawsuit, BNSF will stop transporting coal through the Gorge and other locations.
Asbestos
Rail workers were exposed to dangerous chemical substances for a long time. While asbestos has been mostly removed from the workplace, other harmful substances remain. Chemical solvents can cause asthma and respiratory illnesses. Railroad employees may sue their employers to obtain compensation.
In one instance, a 61 year old engineer in the field of locomotives was awarded $2.6 million after a jury's verdict determined that his work on the railroad made him suffer from diesel asthma. The illness forced him take medical leave, resulting in the loss of earnings. He also had two back surgeries including the lumbar spine fusion with multilevels. All of this amounted to significant medical costs.
He said his body was constantly exposed to diesel exhaust fumes as well as strong smells. He also stated that he was exposed to silica particles chemical compounds, spray paints and black smoke. His chest tightened, his throat ached and he had difficulty swallowing. He was suffering from allergies and bronchitis, too.
The railroads successfully argued that agreements signed by the plaintiff in 1996 should block 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 give him time to seek medical evaluation and determine whether the disease is linked to his work.
Poor Ventilation
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with lung cancer or lung diseases, mesothelioma or any other type of cancers that could be related to working in the railroad industry, you may be entitled to file an action under FELA against the company that employed you. FELA lawsuits may provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and suffering and pain. Contact a Houston FELA attorney today to discuss your case.
A jury awarded $2.6 million to a former Conrail engineer in the case of occupational diseases after determining the cause of his asthma-related debilitating condition. The jury determined that his exposure to diesel exhaust fumes was nearly continuous while working with locomotives in rail yards. The lawyers for the plaintiff argued that the railroad failed to stop this kind of exposure by not installing proper ventilation in the locomotive cabs.
Railroad workers are exposed toxic chemicals, as well as diesel fumes. In railroad maintenance and construction materials, asbestos, benzene and other carcinogens are discovered. Sadly, union pacific railroad lawsuit can lead to a variety of diseases and health issues, including pulmonary diseases such as asthma.
A Houston FELA attorney can help you hold an employer accountable for their negligence If you suffer from asthma due to your railway work, or if someone close to you has been diagnosed with a cancer that is linked to the rail industry. Engaging an experienced attorney as soon as possible will increase your chances of obtaining the financial compensation you're entitled to for your loss and suffering.