Railroad Lawsuits and Asthma
Rail workers are often exposed to toxic fumes and chemicals like asbestos and silica. The exposures can result in respiratory diseases like asthma.
Fortunately, the victims could be entitled to compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act. A reputable railroad lawsuit asthma lawyer will aid. Here are a few examples of successful settlements and verdicts.
Diesel Exhaust
Because trains are powered by diesel fuels, railroad workers are exposed throughout the day to diesel fumes. The fumes consist of tiny particles of soot, gases and other toxic chemicals that can cause serious health issues. Exposure to these fumes may contribute to the development of asthma and other lung illnesses.
Railroads have been aware of the dangers of exposure to diesel exhaust for decades. Many companies haven't taken adequate measures to protect their workers. Some railroad workers have contracted respiratory ailments that can be crippling.
In conjunction with other workplace hazards, such as asbestos, silica or creosote exposure to diesel fumes could lead to the development of life-changing pulmonary diseases, including asthma. These ailments can prevent railroad workers from returning to their work and can affect the quality of their lives.
In one case the attorneys of our firm successfully defended a FELA claim by a former locomotive engineer who claimed to have contracted leukemia and other cancers due to the exposure to diesel fumes as well as other toxic chemicals while working on railway equipment. The court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendant railroads, ruling that Plaintiff did not make a reasonably diligent research into the details of his illness at the time of diagnosis and that his claims were not time-barred.
Dust
Railroad workers are often exposed to various kinds of dust, such as silica from coal dust, ballast, and chemical or petroleum fuels. These harmful substances can cause harm to one's health and can cause respiratory ailments, such as asthma.
Our FELA lawyer has assisted a number of people seek compensation for their exposure. Fortunately, FELA allows workers who have been diagnosed with certain illnesses to claim their employers are accountable for failing to protect them from dangerous work environments.
For example the case of a Montana jury handed down $3.7 million to an engineer from the past who was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, which is a progressive lung disease that is caused by scarring of the lung tissue. Leukemia lawsuit alleged that the inhalation of diesel exhaust on a number of or even thousands of occasions led to the development of his lung disease. Jurors were not persuaded by the defense experts' testimony that the locomotive engineer's lung disease could have some other cause.
Similarly, Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Sierra Club successfully filed a lawsuit against BNSF railroad over its coal trains. Each time a train travels through the Gorge, it pollutes sensitive plant and wildlife habitat, tributary streams, wetlands, and the Columbia River with coal dust and other debris. As union pacific railroad lawsuit of this lawsuit, BNSF will stop transporting coal through the Gorge and other areas.
Asbestos
Rail workers have been exposed to hazardous chemicals for a long period of time. Other toxic substances remain in the workplace even when asbestos has been removed. Chemical solvents are known to cause asthma and respiratory ailments. This is the reason railroad employees are able to file lawsuits seeking damages from the companies that hired them.
In one case in one case, a 61-year old locomotive engineer received $2.6 million after a jury verdict found that his work on the railroad made him suffer from diesel asthma. This condition led him to be on medical leave and to lose his wages. He also underwent two back surgeries, including the multilevel lumbar spine fuse. All of this amounted to significant medical costs.
He stated that he was constantly exposed to diesel exhaust fumes as well as strong odors. He also said his body was constantly exposed silica particles and chemical compounds, as well as spray paints, and black smoke. His chest tightened and throat hurt. He also had trouble swallowing. He also was suffering from allergies and chronic bronchitis.
The railroads successfully argued that releases the plaintiff signed in 1996 should block his new suit because he was aware of the risk at the time he was exposed to asbestos. Hughes Law Offices also argued that the time limit for filing a lawsuit should be extended until the plaintiff was diagnosed with cancer to give him the opportunity to seek medical care and determine if the illness was related to his work.
union pacific railroad lawsuit
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with lung cancer or lung diseases, mesothelioma or any other type of cancer that may be connected to work in the railroad industry, you might have the right to bring a lawsuit under FELA against the company who employed you. FELA lawsuits may provide compensation for medical costs and lost wages, as well as suffering and pain, as well as other damages. Contact a Houston FELA lawyer today to discuss your case.
A jury awarded an ex- Conrail engineer $2.6 million in the course of his occupational illness trial after finding that the retiree's asthma-related illness was the result of his constant exposure to diesel exhaust fumes as he working with locomotives at rail yards. The lawyers for the plaintiff argued that the railroad failed to protect against this kind of exposure by not installing proper ventilation in the 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 found. These harmful materials can lead to many kinds of cancers as well as serious health conditions including asthma.
If you have asthma that developed due to your job on the railroad or If you are the parent of loved ones who have been diagnosed with cancer that could be related to the rail industry, hiring a Houston FELA lawyer can help you hold your employer accountable for their negligence. Contacting union pacific railroad lawsuit can help you maximize your chances of receiving the financial compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering.