20 Resources That'll Make You Better At Railroad Lawsuit Mds

Railroad Lawsuits and Asthma

Railroad workers often are exposed to fumes and toxic chemicals such as creosote, silica asbestos, and creosote. These exposures can lead to respiratory diseases like asthma.

Fortunately, victims can recover compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). An asthma attorney for railroad lawsuits can be of assistance. Here are some examples of settlements and verdicts.

Diesel Exhaust

Since trains operate on diesel fuels, railroad workers are constantly exposed to diesel fumes. These fumes consist of soot particles, as well as toxic chemicals. The exposure to these fumes can 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 have not taken the proper precautions to protect their workers. Railroad workers have been diagnosed with respiratory illnesses that are debilitating.

In conjunction with other workplace hazards, like asbestos, silica and creosote, exposure to diesel fumes could result in the development of life-threatening pulmonary illnesses, such as asthma. These conditions can prevent railroad workers from returning to work and may reduce the quality of their lives.

In one case the attorneys of our firm successfully defended the FELA claim brought by a former engineer who claimed that he had developed leukemia and other cancers as a result of his exposure to diesel fumes as well as other toxic chemicals when working on railway equipment. The court ruled in favor of summary judgment on behalf of the railroads. It decided that Plaintiff did not conduct a reasonable search for information regarding his illness when the disease was discovered, and that his claims are barred by time.

Dust

Railroad workers are exposed to different kinds of dust, including silica from coal dust, ballast and chemical or petroleum fuels. These toxic substances can be harmful to the health of workers and can lead to respiratory ailments like asthma.

Our FELA attorney has helped many people pursue compensation for exposure to these substances. FELA allows workers with certain diseases to hold employers accountable for failing to protect them from dangerous workplaces.

A Montana jury, for instance it awarded $3.7 Million to a former locomotive engineer who was suffering from pulmonary fibroidsis, which is a progressive lung condition that is caused by scarring of lung tissue. In his FELA claim, the defendant claimed that the inhalation of diesel fumes hundreds, perhaps thousands of times contributed to the onset and the progression of his lung condition. Jurors were not persuaded by the testimony of defense experts that the engineer's lung disease must have 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 travels through the Gorge it pollutes habitats for wildlife and plants, wetlands, tributary streams, and the Columbia River with coal dust and other debris. BNSF has decided to stop transporting coal through the Gorge and other areas.

Asbestos

Rail workers have been exposed to dangerous chemicals for a long time. While asbestos has been eliminated from the workplace, other harmful substances remain. Chemical solvents, for instance, have been identified as causing asthma and respiratory diseases. Railroad employees may sue their employers to seek compensation.

In one instance the 61-year-old locomotive engineer was awarded $2.6 million after a jury's verdict revealed that his work on the railroad made him suffer from diesel asthma. This illness caused him to be placed on medical leave and lose his wages. He also underwent two back surgeries including a multilevel lumbar spine fusion. All of this amounted to significant medical costs.

He stated that his body was constantly exposed to diesel exhaust fumes and strong odors. He also said he was exposed to silica particles and chemical compounds, as well as spray paints and black smoke.  railroad lawsuit settlements  tightened up and his throat hurt. He also had trouble swallowing. He suffered from bronchitis and allergic rhinitis, too.

The railroads won the argument that release of the plaintiff from 1996 should block his new suit because they knew of the risk when he was exposed asbestos. Hughes Law Offices also argued that the statute of limitations should be tolled until the plaintiff was diagnosed with cancer to allow him the chance to seek medical attention and determine if his illness was due to his job.

Poor Ventilation

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with lung cancer or lung diseases, mesothelioma, or other types of cancers that could be related to working in the railroad industry, you may be entitled to file a lawsuit under FELA against the company which employed you. FELA lawsuits may provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, suffering and pain, as well as other damages. Contact an Houston FELA attorney today to discuss your case.

A jury awarded $2.6 million to an ex- Conrail engineer in the course of his occupational disease trial after determining what caused his chronic asthma. The jury determined that his exposure to exhaust fumes from diesel engines was almost every day while working in rail yards. The plaintiffs' lawyers argued that railroads failed to prevent exposure to diesel exhaust by not installing adequate ventilation in the cabs of locomotives.

Railroad workers are exposed toxic chemicals, as well as diesel fumes. In railroad maintenance and construction material asbestos, benzene, and other carcinogens are discovered. Sadly, these dangerous materials can cause many different cancers and serious illnesses, including respiratory illnesses like asthma.

If you suffer from asthma that is the result of your work on the railroad, or If you are the parent of someone you love who has been diagnosed with cancer that may be connected to the rail industry, hiring a Houston FELA lawyer can help you hold your employer accountable for their incompetence. A professional attorney you can trust will increase your chances of obtaining the financial compensation you're entitled to for the losses and suffering.