Railroad Lawsuits and Asthma
Railroad workers often are exposed to toxic fumes and chemicals like silica, creosote asbestos, and creosote. The exposures can result in lung diseases, such as asthma.
Fortunately, the victims could be entitled to compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act. A reputable railroad lawsuit asthma lawyer will assist. Here are some examples of settlements that have resulted in successful verdicts.
Diesel Exhaust
Since trains are powered by diesel fuel, a majority of railroad employees are exposed to a variety of diesel fumes through the day. The fumes consist of soot particles and harmful chemicals. Exposure to these fumes could contribute to the development of asthma and other lung illnesses.
Railroads have known about the dangers of exposure to diesel exhaust for many years. However the majority of companies have failed to take appropriate measures to protect their employees. Certain railroad workers have developed respiratory diseases that are debilitating.
When combined with other workplace hazards, like asbestos, silica, and creosote, exposure to diesel fumes could result in the development of life-altering pulmonary diseases, including asthma. These symptoms could prevent railroad workers from returning to their work, and could even affect their overall health.
In one instance, our lawyers successfully represented an FELA lawsuit asserted by an engineer for locomotives who claimed he contracted leukemia, as well as other cancers as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals and diesel fumes while working on railroad equipment. The court granted summary judgment for the defendant railroads. The court ruled that Plaintiff had not made an appropriate search for information regarding his illness at the time the diagnosis was made and that his claims are barred by time.
Dust
Railroad workers are often exposed to a variety of dust, including silica from ballast, coal dust, and chemical or petroleum fuels. These toxic substances can be harmful to health and can trigger respiratory illnesses such as asthma.
Our FELA lawyer has helped a lot of people to seek compensation for their exposure. FELA allows workers with certain illnesses to hold employers accountable for not protecting them from dangerous workplaces.
For instance, a Montana jury handed down $3.7 million to an engineer from the past who was afflicted with pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disease caused by scarring of the lung tissue. cancer lawsuits alleged that the inhalation of diesel exhaust on a number of or even thousands of occasions led to the development of his lung disease. The testimony of the experts for the defense did not convince jurors that the locomotive engineer’s lung disease was due to an unrelated cause.
cancer lawsuit to this, Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Sierra Club successfully sued BNSF railroad over its coal trains. Every time a train traverses the Gorge it pollutes sensitive habitats for plants and wildlife, the wetlands, tributary rivers and the Columbia River. BNSF has decided to stop transporting coal through the Gorge and other areas.
Asbestos
Rail workers have been exposed to hazardous chemicals for a long time. Other toxic materials remain in the workplace even although asbestos has been removed. Chemical solvents are known to cause asthma and respiratory illnesses. Railroad employees may sue their employers to seek compensation.
In one instance the jury found that a locomotive engineer aged 61 was suffering from diesel asthma because of his railroad work. This condition led him to be on medical leave and to lose his wages. He also had to undergo two back surgeries, including a multi-level lumbar spinal fusion that added up to significant medical expenses.
He stated that the air he breathed was constantly contaminated with diesel exhaust fumes and strong smells. He also said he was constantly exposed to silica particles chemical compounds, spray paints and black smoke. His chest tenseened, his throat ached and he had trouble swallowing. He also suffered from chronic allergies and bronchitis.
The railroads successfully argued the release of the plaintiff in 1996 should be a bar to his lawsuit since he knew about the risk being exposed to asbestos. Hughes Law Offices argued that the statute should be enacted until the plaintiff is diagnosed with cancer to give him time to seek medical evaluation and determine whether the disease is linked to his job.
Poor Ventilation
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with lung cancer mesothelioma, lung diseases or any other form of cancers that may be linked to working in the railroad industry, then you may have the right to file an action under FELA against the company that employed you. FELA lawsuits could award compensation for medical costs, lost wages, suffering and pain, and other damages. Contact an Houston FELA lawyer today to discuss your case.
A jury handed down $2.6 million to an ex- Conrail engineer in his occupational disease trial after determining the cause of his asthma-related debilitating condition. The jury determined that his exposure to diesel exhaust fumes was nearly all the time while working on locomotives in rail yards. The plaintiff's attorneys argued that the railroad did not stop this kind of exposure because they did not install proper ventilation in the locomotive cabs.
In addition to the diesel fumes that railroad workers breathe, they also frequently come in contact with toxic chemicals as well as other harmful substances during their work. Asbestos, benzene, and other carcinogens are often found in railroad maintenance and construction materials. Sadly, these dangerous substances can lead to a variety of diseases and health issues, including pulmonary illnesses such as asthma.
If you suffer from asthma that developed due to your work on the railroad, or in the case of family members who have been diagnosed with cancer that may be linked to the railroad industry in any way, an Houston FELA lawyer can help you ensure that your employer is held accountable for their incompetence. Contacting a skilled attorney right away will increase your chances of obtaining the financial compensation you're entitled to for your loss and suffering.