Bladder cancer lawsuit and Asthma
Railroad workers are often exposed to toxic fumes and chemicals such as creosote, silica asbestos, and creosote. These exposures can cause respiratory illnesses like asthma.
Fortunately, victims may be entitled to compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act. A good railroad lawsuit asthma lawyer will help. Read on for some examples of verdicts and settlements.
Diesel Exhaust
Since trains run on diesel fuels, railroad workers are constantly exposed to diesel fumes. The fumes consist of soot particles, as well as toxic chemicals. Exposure to these fumes may cause the development of asthma and other lung illnesses.
Railroads have been aware of the dangers of exposure to diesel exhaust for a long time. Many companies have not taken the proper precautions to protect their workers. As a result, some railroad workers have been diagnosed with respiratory illnesses that are a major cause of death.
Exposure to diesel fumes, when coupled with other workplace hazards such as asbestos, creosote or silica can result in life-altering lung diseases, like asthma. These symptoms can often prevent railroad workers from returning to work and may reduce the quality of their lives.
In one instance that our lawyers were able to defend, they successfully an FELA claim by a former engineer who claimed to have developed leukemia and other cancers as a result of the exposure to diesel fumes and other toxic chemicals while working on railway equipment. The judge granted summary judgment to the railroad defendants, deciding that Plaintiff did not make an adequate search for information about 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 from ballasts as well as coal dust. They may also be exposed to chemical or petroleum fuels. These toxic substances pose a threat to health and may cause respiratory illnesses such as asthma.
Our FELA lawyer has assisted a number of people get compensation for their exposure. FELA allows workers with certain illnesses to hold employers accountable for not protecting them from dangers in their workplaces.
A Montana jury, for example, awarded $3.7 Million to an engineer from the past who was suffering from pulmonary fibroidsis. It is a progressive lung condition that is caused by scarring of lung tissue. In his FELA claim, the plaintiff claimed that inhaling diesel fumes hundreds or perhaps thousands of times, contributed to the onset and the progression of his lung condition. The testimony of the experts for the defense did not convince jurors that the locomotive engineer’s lung disease was caused by a different reason.
Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Sierra Club also successfully sued BNSF Railroad over its coal trains. Every time a train passes through the Gorge it pollutes the sensitive habitats for wildlife and plants, wetlands, tributary streams, and the Columbia River with coal dust and debris. BNSF has decided to stop transporting coal through the Gorge, and other locations.
Asbestos
Railroad workers have long been exposed to hazardous chemicals. While asbestos has been mostly eliminated from the workplace, some toxic substances are still. Chemical solvents are known to cause asthma and respiratory illness. This is the reason railroad employees can file lawsuits in order to recover damages from the companies that hired them.
In one case in one case, a 61-year old engineer for the locomotive received $2.6 million after a jury's verdict determined that his work on the railroad made him suffer from diesel asthma. This condition forced him take medical leave, resulting in loss of earnings. He also was required to undergo two back surgeries, including the multi-level lumbar spine fusion, all of which added up to a significant amount of medical expenses.
He said that while working for various railways, he was constantly exposed to exhaust fumes from diesel engines, strong odors silica dust particles spray paints and chemical compounds, black smoke as well as welding grease, motor grease and engine oil. The chest tightened up and his throat hurt. cancer lawsuit had trouble swallowing. He was suffering from bronchitis and allergies, as well.
The railroads successfully argued the agreements signed by the plaintiff in 1996 should not bar his new suit because they knew about the risk at the time he was exposed to asbestos. Hughes Law Offices also argued that the statute of limitations should be tolled until the plaintiff was diagnosed with cancer in order to allow him the chance to seek medical treatment and determine if his condition was due to his job.
union pacific railroad lawsuit
If you or someone near you has been diagnosed with lung disease, mesothelioma or any other type of cancer that is related to your employment in the railroad industry you may be able to make an FELA lawsuit against the company which employed you. FELA lawsuits may award compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, suffering and pain, as well as other damages. Contact an Houston FELA lawyer today to discuss your case.
A jury handed down $2.6 million to a former Conrail engineer in the case of occupational diseases after determining what caused his chronic asthma. union pacific railroad lawsuit found that his exposure to diesel exhaust fumes was all the time while working on locomotives in rail yards. The lawyers representing the plaintiffs argued that railroads did not prevent exposure to diesel exhaust by not installing adequate ventilation in locomotive cabs.
Railroad workers are exposed to toxic chemicals, as well as diesel fumes. In railroad maintenance and construction materials asbestos, benzene, and other carcinogens can be found. Sadly, these toxic substances can lead to a variety of cancers and serious illnesses, including respiratory illnesses like asthma.
A Houston FELA attorney can help you bring an employer to account for their negligence in the event that you suffer from asthma because of your railroad work, or your loved ones have been diagnosed with a cancer that is linked to the railroad industry. By contacting an experienced lawyer as soon as you can to maximize your chances of obtaining the financial compensation that you deserve for your suffering and losses.