Railroad Lawsuits and Asthma
Railroad workers often are exposed to toxic fumes and chemicals such as silica, creosote asbestos, and creosote. These exposures can cause respiratory diseases like asthma.
Fortunately, victims can claim compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). A reputable railroad lawsuit asthma lawyer can aid. Find out more about some examples of verdicts that have won and settlements.
Diesel Exhaust
Because trains are powered by diesel fuels, railroad employees are exposed all day to diesel fumes. The fumes consist of tiny soot particles gases, and other toxic chemicals that can cause serious health issues. The exposure to these fumes can contribute to asthma and other lung illnesses.
Since decades, railroads have been aware of the dangers posed by diesel exhaust. Many companies have not taken adequate measures to protect their employees. This is why some railroad workers have developed respiratory illnesses that are a major cause of death.
The exposure to diesel fumes, when coupled with other workplace hazards, such as asbestos, creosote or silica can cause life-altering lung diseases, like asthma. These conditions can prevent railroad workers from returning to work and could affect the quality of their lives.
In one instance, our attorneys successfully defended the FELA claim made by a former engineer who claimed that he had developed leukemia and other cancers due to his exposure to diesel fumes as well as other toxic chemicals when working on railway equipment. The court granted summary judgment for the railroads in dispute. It ruled that Plaintiff had not made an informed search about his condition when the diagnosis was made and that the claims he made are time-barred.
Dust
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to various kinds of dust, such as silica from ballast, coal dust, and petroleum or chemical fuels. These toxic substances are harmful to health and can trigger respiratory illnesses such as asthma.
Our FELA lawyer has helped a number of people pursue compensation for exposure to these substances. Fortunately, FELA allows workers who have been diagnosed with certain diseases to hold their employers accountable for not protecting workers from hazardous work environments.
For Leukemia lawsuit , a Montana jury gave $3.7 million to a former engineer of the locomotive who suffered from pulmonary fibrosis, which is a progressive lung disease that is caused due to scarring of the lung tissue. The defendant's FELA claim alleged that inhaling diesel exhaust on hundreds or even 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 could have a different cause.
Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Sierra Club also successfully filed a lawsuit against BNSF Railroad over its coal trains. Every time a train travels through the Gorge it pollutes habitats that are sensitive for plants and wildlife, and tributary rivers, and the Columbia River. BNSF has accepted to stop transporting coal through the Gorge, and other locations.
Asbestos
Railroad workers have long been exposed to hazardous chemicals. While Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma lawsuit has been largely eliminated from the workplace, a variety of toxic substances remain. Chemical solvents have been proven to cause asthma and respiratory illness. Railroad employees can sue their employers to get compensation for their losses.
In one case the jury determined that a locomotive engineer aged 61 was suffering from asthma caused by diesel due to his work on railroads. This illness forced him to take medical leave, resulting in the loss of earnings. He also had to undergo two back surgeries, including the multi-level lumbar spine fusion that resulted in significant medical expenses.
He admitted that while working at various railways, he was exposed to diesel exhaust fumes strong smells silica dust particles spray paints and chemical compounds as well as black smoke, welding, motor grease, and engine oil. His chest tightened and his throat hurt. He also had trouble swallowing. He was suffering from allergies and bronchitis, too.
Leukemia lawsuit argued that the release of the plaintiff from 1996 should block his lawsuit since they knew of the risk when exposed to asbestos. Hughes Law Offices also argued that the time limit for filing a lawsuit should be tolled until the plaintiff was diagnosed with cancer to give him the opportunity to seek medical care and determine if the condition was due to his job.
Poor Ventilation
If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with lung disease, mesothelioma or another type of cancer that is related to your employment in the railroad industry you might be able to start a FELA lawsuit against the company that employed you. FELA lawsuits can award compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and suffering and pain. Contact an Houston FELA attorney today to discuss your case.
A jury has awarded an ex- Conrail engineer $2.6 million in his occupational health trial after concluding that the retiree's asthma, which is a chronic problem, was caused by the constant exposure to diesel exhaust fumes when crewing locomotives at rail yards. Leukemia lawsuit 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 the construction and maintenance of railroad materials asbestos, benzene, and other carcinogens can be discovered. These hazardous materials can cause a variety of kinds of cancers as well as serious health problems, such as asthma.
If you suffer from asthma that developed due to your work on the railroad, or if you have someone you love who has been diagnosed with cancer that could be related to the rail industry in any way, hiring a Houston FELA lawyer can help you hold your employer accountable for their incompetence. By contacting an experienced lawyer as soon as you can to maximize your chances of obtaining the financial compensation that you are entitled to for your pain and losses.