cancer lawsuits and Asthma
Rail workers are frequently exposed to harmful fumes and chemicals such as asbestos and silica. These exposures can lead to pulmonary disorders such as asthma.
Fortunately, victims can seek compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). A railroad lawsuit asthma attorney can be of assistance. Check out the following examples of verdicts that have won and settlements.
Diesel Exhaust
Because trains run on diesel fuel, the majority of railroad workers are exposed range of diesel fumes throughout the day. These fumes are a mixture of soot particles as well as toxic chemicals. Exposure to these fumes could cause the development of asthma and other lung illnesses.
Railroads have been aware of dangers of exposure to diesel exhaust for a long time. Many companies haven't taken appropriate measures to safeguard their employees. Certain railroad workers have developed respiratory ailments that can be crippling.
In conjunction with other workplace hazards such as asbestos, silica and creosote, exposure to diesel fumes could result in the development of life-altering pulmonary diseases, including asthma. These symptoms could prevent railroad workers from returning to their work, and can even impact their quality of life.
In one instance, our attorneys successfully defended the FELA claim brought by a former engineer who claimed that he had developed leukemia and other cancers as a result of the exposure to diesel fumes and other toxic chemicals while working on railway equipment. The court granted summary judgment for the railroads that were defendants, and ruled that Plaintiff did not make an intelligent research into the details of his illness at the time of diagnosis and that his claims were not time-barred.
Dust
Rail workers are exposed to various dusts, including silica dust from ballasts as well as coal dust. They can also be exposed to chemical or petroleum fuels. These toxic substances can cause harm to one's health and can cause respiratory diseases, such as asthma.
Our FELA lawyer has assisted a number of people get compensation for their exposure. FELA allows those suffering from certain diseases to hold employers accountable for not protecting them from dangers in their workplaces.
union pacific railroad lawsuit , for instance, awarded $3.7 Million to a former locomotive engineer who suffered from pulmonary fibroidsis, a progressive lung condition caused by scarring in the lung tissue. In his FELA claim, the plaintiff claimed that inhaling diesel fumes hundreds, perhaps thousands of times, contributed to the development and development of his lung disease. Jurors were not convinced by the testimony of defense experts that the engineer's lung illness could have a different cause.
Similar to this, Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Sierra Club successfully filed a lawsuit against BNSF railroad over its coal trains. Each time a train runs through the Gorge it pollutes the sensitive plant and wildlife habitat, stream tributary wetlands and the Columbia River with coal dust and debris. BNSF has accepted to stop transporting coal in the Gorge and in other locations.
Asbestos
Railroad workers have long been exposed to dangerous chemicals. Other toxic substances remain in the workplace, even when asbestos has been removed. Chemical solvents have been proven to cause respiratory illnesses and asthma. This is why railroad workers could file lawsuits to recover damages from the companies who hired them.
In one instance, the jury found that a 61-year-old engineer in the field suffered from diesel asthma due to his work in the railroad. cancer lawsuits forced him take medical leave, which resulted in loss of wages. He also had two back surgeries including a multilevel lumbar spine fusion. All of this added up to substantial medical costs.
He testified that while working at different railways he was exposed to exhaust fumes from diesel engines, strong odors, silica dust particles, chemical compounds and spray paints as well as black smoke and motor grease, welding and engine oil. His chest tightened and his throat hurt. He also had difficulty swallowing. He also suffered from allergies and chronic bronchitis.
The railroads successfully argued the release of the plaintiff from 1996 should block the new lawsuit as they knew of the risk being exposed to asbestos. union pacific railroad lawsuit argued that the statute should be tolled up until the plaintiff is diagnosed with cancer, to give him time to seek medical treatment and determine if the condition is related to his job.
Poor Ventilation
If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung disease or another type of cancer that is related to your job in the field of railroads, you might be able start a FELA lawsuit against the company which employed you. FELA lawsuits can provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering. Contact a Houston FELA lawyer today to discuss your case.
A jury awarded $2.6 million to a former Conrail engineer in his occupational illness trial after determining the source of his chronic asthma. The jury concluded that his exposure to diesel exhaust fumes was every day while working in rail yards. The lawyers representing the plaintiffs claimed that railroads failed in their duty to avoid exposure to diesel exhaust by not installing adequate ventilation in the cabs of locomotives.
Railroad workers are exposed to toxic chemicals and diesel fumes. In the construction and maintenance of railroad materials asbestos, benzene, and other carcinogens are discovered. These dangerous substances can cause many kinds of cancers and serious health conditions including asthma.
A Houston FELA attorney can help you to hold an employer accountable for their negligence if you suffer from asthma because of your railway work, or someone close to you has been diagnosed with a cancer that may be linked to the railroad industry. Contacting an experienced attorney immediately will increase your chances of obtaining the financial compensation you're entitled to for the injuries and losses.