Railroad Lawsuits and Asthma
Rail workers are often exposed to harmful chemicals and fumes like silica and asbestos. These exposures can lead to respiratory diseases like asthma.
Fortunately, victims may be eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act. A good railroad lawsuit asthma lawyer will aid. Here are some examples of settlements and verdicts.
Diesel Exhaust
Because trains run on diesel fuel, a majority of railroad workers are exposed to a range of diesel fumes throughout the day. The fumes consist of tiny soot particles gases and other toxic chemicals that could cause serious health issues. The exposure to these fumes can contribute to asthma and other lung diseases.
Since decades railroads have been conscious of the dangers posed by diesel exhaust. However many companies have failed to take sufficient steps to safeguard their employees. In the end, a few railroad workers have developed debilitating respiratory illnesses.
In conjunction with other workplace hazards, such as asbestos, silica and creosote, exposure to diesel fumes can lead to the development of life-altering lung diseases, including asthma. Leukemia lawsuit can prevent railroad workers from returning to their jobs and can affect the quality of their lives.
In one case our lawyers 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 in favor of the defendant railroads, ruling that Plaintiff did not conduct a reasonably diligent lookup for information regarding his illness at the time of diagnosis and that his claims were not time-barred.
Dust
Railroad workers are exposed to various types of dust, such as silica from coal dust, ballast, and chemical fuels or petroleum. These harmful substances can cause harm to one's health and contribute to respiratory illnesses, like asthma.
Our FELA lawyer has assisted many people claim compensation for their exposure. Fortunately, FELA allows workers who have been diagnosed with certain ailments to claim their employers are accountable for not protecting workers from hazardous workplaces.
A Montana jury, for example gave $3.7 Million to a former locomotive engineer who suffered from pulmonary fibroidsis. This is a progressive lung condition that is caused by scarring of 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. Jurors were not convinced by the defense experts' testimony that the locomotive engineer's lung disease must have an unrelated cause.
Bladder cancer lawsuit of the Columbia Gorge and Sierra Club also successfully filed a lawsuit against BNSF Railroad over its coal trains. Leukemia lawsuit through the Gorge it pollutes the habitats for plants and wildlife, wetlands, tributary rivers, and the Columbia River. BNSF has announced that it will stop bringing coal through the Gorge and other areas.
cancer lawsuits have been exposed chemicals for a long time. Other toxic materials remain in the workplace even when asbestos has been removed. Chemical solvents, like are known to cause asthma and other respiratory ailments. This is the reason railroad employees may file lawsuits to recover damages from the companies that hired them.
In one instance the jury ruled that a 61-year old locomotive engineer was suffering from diesel asthma due to his railroad work. The condition caused him to be placed on medical leave and lost wages. He also had two back surgeries, including a multilevel lumbar spine fusion. All of this added up to significant medical costs.
He stated that the air he breathed was constantly contaminated with diesel exhaust fumes and strong odors. He also stated that he was exposed to silica particles as well as chemical compounds, spray paints, and black smoke. His chest tenseened, his throat ached, and he was having trouble swallowing. He also was afflicted by allergies and chronic bronchitis.
The railroads successfully argued that the releases the plaintiff signed in 1996 should bar his new suit since he was aware of the risk at the time he was exposed asbestos. Hughes Law Offices argued that the statute should be extended until the plaintiff is diagnosed with cancer to allow him to seek medical care and determine if his illness is connected to his job.
Poor Ventilation
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with lung cancer, lung diseases, mesothelioma or any other type of cancers that could be caused by working in the railroad industry, then you may have the right to bring an action under FELA against the company that employed you. FELA lawsuits may provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact a Houston FELA attorney today to discuss your case.
A jury awarded an ex- Conrail engineer $2.6 million in the case of occupational illness after determining that the retiree's asthma, which is a chronic problem, was caused by the constant exposure to diesel exhaust fumes during crewing locomotives at rail yards. The lawyers representing the plaintiffs claimed that railroads failed to protect themselves from exposure by not installing adequate ventilation in the cabs of locomotives.
In addition to the diesel fumes that railroad workers breathe, they often come into contact with toxic chemicals and other harmful substances in their work. In railroad maintenance and construction materials, asbestos, benzene and other carcinogens are found. These toxic substances can cause many kinds of cancers, as well as serious health issues, including asthma.
If you suffer from asthma that arose due to your job on the railroad or in the case of someone you love who has been diagnosed with cancer that could be linked to the railroad industry and you should consult a Houston FELA lawyer can help you make your employer accountable for their incompetence. Contacting an experienced attorney immediately can increase your chances of receiving the financial compensation you are entitled to for your losses and suffering.