Railroad Lawsuits and Asthma
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to toxic fumes and chemicals like creosote, silica, and asbestos. These exposures can lead to respiratory disorders like asthma.
Fortunately, victims could be eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act. A railroad lawsuit asthma attorney can assist. Find out more about some examples of verdicts and settlements.
Diesel Exhaust
Because trains run on diesel fuels railroad workers are exposed throughout the day to diesel fumes. These fumes are composed of tiny soot particles, gases, and other toxic chemicals that could cause serious health issues. Exposure to these fumes may cause 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 implemented adequate safeguards to protect their workers. This is why some railroad workers have developed respiratory ailments that are severe and debilitating.
When combined with Leukemia lawsuit like asbestos, silica and creosote, exposure to diesel fumes can result in the development of life-altering pulmonary illnesses, such as asthma. These ailments can stop railroad workers from returning to their jobs, and may even decrease their quality of life.
In one case our attorneys successfully secured the rights of a FELA lawsuit brought by an engineer on the locomotive who claimed he was diagnosed with leukemia and other cancers due to his exposure to toxic chemicals and diesel fumes while working on railroad equipment. The court ruled in favor of summary judgment for the defendant railroads. It ruled that Plaintiff had not made an informed search about his condition when it was discovered and his claims are time-barred.
Dust
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to different kinds of dust, including silica from coal dust, ballast and chemical fuels or petroleum. These toxic substances pose a threat to health and can cause respiratory diseases like asthma.
Our FELA lawyer has helped a lot of people get compensation for their exposure. Fortunately, cancer lawsuit allows workers who have been diagnosed with certain illnesses to hold their employers accountable for failing to safeguard workers from hazardous workplaces.
Bladder cancer lawsuit , for instance has awarded $3.7 Million to a former locomotive engineer who suffered from pulmonary fibroidsis, which is a progressive lung condition caused by scarring of the lung tissue. The defendant's FELA claim alleged that inhaling diesel exhaust on hundreds, if not thousands, of occasions contributed to the development of his lung disease. The testimony of the defense experts could not convince jurors that locomotive engineer's lung disease was caused by an unrelated cause.
Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Sierra Club also successfully filed a lawsuit against BNSF Railroad over its coal trains. Each time a train crosses the Gorge it pollutes the habitats for wildlife and plants, wetlands, tributary rivers, and the Columbia River. In the wake of this lawsuit, BNSF will stop transporting coal through the Gorge and other locations.
Asbestos
Railroad workers have been exposed to dangerous chemicals. Other toxic materials remain in the workplace, even though asbestos has been removed. Chemical solvents can cause asthma and respiratory illness. This is the reason railroad employees can file lawsuits in order to recover damages from the companies who hired them.
In one case in one case, a 61-year old engineer in the field of locomotives was awarded $2.6 million following a jury verdict that found that his work on the railroad caused him to suffer from diesel asthma. This condition led him to be on medical leave and lose wages. He also had to undergo two back surgeries, which included an lumbar spinal fusion with multiple levels that added up to significant medical costs.
He said that while working for various railways he was continuously exposed to exhaust fumes from diesel engines, strong smells silica dust particles chemicals and spray paints and black smoke, welding, motor grease, and engine oil. The chest tightened up and his throat hurt. He also had difficulty swallowing. He also was afflicted by allergies and chronic bronchitis.
The railroads prevailed in arguing that the release of the plaintiff in 1996 should be a bar to his new suit because he knew about the risk being exposed to asbestos. Hughes Law Offices argued that the statute should be tolled until the plaintiff is diagnosed with cancer to allow him time to seek medical evaluation and determine whether the condition is related to his job.
Poor Ventilation
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with lung cancer mesothelioma, lung diseases, or other types of cancers that could be related to working in the railroad industry, then you may have the right to bring a lawsuit under FELA against the corporation that employed you. FELA lawsuits could award compensation for medical expenses as well as lost wages, suffering and pain and other damages. Contact an Houston FELA attorney today to discuss your case.
A jury awarded $2.6 million to an ex- Conrail engineer in his occupational disease trial after determining the root of his debilitating asthma. The jury concluded that his exposure to diesel exhaust fumes was every day while working in rail yards. union pacific railroad lawsuit argued that railroads did not prevent exposure by not providing adequate ventilation in the cabs of locomotives.
In cancer lawsuit to the diesel fumes that railroad workers breathe, they frequently come into contact with toxic chemicals as well as other harmful substances during their job. Asbestos, benzene and other carcinogens are frequently found in construction and maintenance materials. Sadly, these toxic substances can lead to a variety of diseases and health conditions, including pulmonary disorders like asthma.
A Houston FELA attorney can help you bring an employer to account for their negligence if you suffer from asthma resulting from your railroad work, or if someone you love has been diagnosed with a cancer that is linked to the railroad industry. If you contact an experienced lawyer as soon as you can to maximize your chances of getting the financial compensation that you deserve for your suffering and losses.