Railroad Lawsuits and Asthma
Rail workers are frequently exposed to harmful chemicals and fumes like silica and asbestos. These exposures may lead to respiratory disorders like asthma.
Fortunately, victims may be eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act. A reputable railroad lawsuit asthma lawyer can help. Find out more about some examples of verdicts and settlements.
Diesel Exhaust
Since trains operate on diesel fuels railroad workers are constantly exposed to diesel fumes. These fumes contain a mixture of tiny particles of soot, gases, and other toxic chemicals that can cause serious health problems. Exposure to these fumes could be a contributing factor to the development of asthma and other lung diseases.
Railroads have known about the dangers of exposure to diesel exhaust for decades. Many companies haven't implemented adequate safeguards to protect their workers. 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 can cause the development of life-altering lung diseases, including asthma. These symptoms can prevent railroad workers from returning to work, and may even reduce their life quality.
In one instance, our lawyers successfully represented an FELA lawsuit filed by an engineer working on locomotives who claimed he contracted leukemia and other types of cancer as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals and diesel fumes while working on railroad equipment. The court ruled in favor of summary judgment on behalf of the railroads. It decided that Plaintiff did not conduct an informed search about his condition when the disease was discovered, and that his claims are barred by time.
Dust
Rail workers are exposed to different dusts, such as silica dust from ballast and coal dust. They can also be exposed to chemical or petroleum fuels. union pacific railroad lawsuit can be harmful to health and may cause respiratory illnesses such as asthma.
Our FELA lawyer has helped a number of people pursue compensation for their exposure to these substances. FELA allows employees suffering from certain diseases to hold employers accountable for failing to protect them from unsafe workplaces.
For instance, a Montana jury awarded $3.7 million to a former engineer of the locomotive who was suffering from the condition known as pulmonary fibrosis. union pacific railroad lawsuit is a progressive lung disease caused by scarring of the lung tissue. His FELA claim alleged that breathing diesel exhaust on hundreds or even thousands of occasions led to the development of his lung disease. Leukemia lawsuit of defense experts failed to convince jurors that the engineer's lung disease was due to another cause.
Similar to this, Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Sierra Club successfully filed a lawsuit against BNSF railroad over its coal trains. Every time a train goes through the Gorge and pollutes sensitive plant and wildlife habitat, wetlands, tributary streams, and the Columbia River with coal dust and debris. As a result of this lawsuit, BNSF will stop transporting coal through the Gorge as well as other places.
Asbestos
Railroad workers have been exposed to dangerous chemicals. Other toxic materials remain in the workplace, even though asbestos has been removed. Chemical solvents have been proven to cause asthma and respiratory ailments. Railroad workers can sue their employers to get compensation for their losses.
In one instance the jury found that a 61-year old locomotive engineer suffered from diesel asthma because of his railroad work. The illness led him to be on medical leave and lose his wages. He also had to undergo two back surgeries, which included the multi-level lumbar spine fusion that added up to considerable medical expenses.
He admitted that while working at various railways, he was exposed to diesel exhaust fumes, strong smells silica dust particles chemical compounds and spray paints including black smoke, welding, motor grease, and engine oil. The chest tightened up and his throat hurt. He also had trouble swallowing. He was suffering from bronchitis and allergic rhinitis, as well.
The railroads prevailed in arguing that the plaintiff's 1996 release should bar his new lawsuit because they knew of the risk of exposure to asbestos. Leukemia lawsuit argued that the statute should be tolled until the plaintiff is diagnosed with cancer to give him time to seek medical treatment and determine if the illness is connected to his work.
Poor Ventilation
If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with lung disease, mesothelioma or any other type of cancer that may be connected to your employment in the railway industry, you might be able start an FELA lawsuit against the company that employed you. FELA lawsuits may provide compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and 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 his occupational illness trial after determining the root of his debilitating asthma. The jury concluded that his exposure to exhaust fumes from diesel engines was almost every day while working in rail yards. The lawyers for the plaintiff argued that the railroad was unable to prevent this kind of exposure because they did not install adequate ventilation in the locomotive cabs.
In addition to the diesel fumes that railroad workers breathe, they frequently come in contact with toxic chemicals and other harmful substances while doing their jobs. In construction and maintenance materials asbestos, benzene, and other carcinogens may be discovered. Sadly, these dangerous substances can cause a myriad of diseases and health conditions, such as pulmonary diseases such as asthma.
If you suffer from asthma that was brought on by your railway work, or in the case of someone you love who has been diagnosed with cancer that could be connected to the rail industry in any way, you should consult a Houston FELA lawyer can help you make your employer accountable for their incompetence. Engaging an experienced attorney as soon as possible can increase your chances of receiving the financial compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering.