Railroad Lawsuits and Asthma

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

Fortunately, victims can claim compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). A good Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit lawsuit asthma lawyer can aid. Check out the following examples of verdicts that have been successful and settlements.

Diesel Exhaust

Since trains run on diesel fuels railroad employees are exposed all day to diesel fumes. These fumes are composed of soot particles, as well as toxic chemicals. Exposure to these fumes may lead to the development of asthma and other lung diseases.

Since the beginning of time railroads have been aware of the dangers that come with diesel exhaust. Many companies haven't taken adequate measures to protect their workers. This is why some Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements workers have been diagnosed with respiratory illnesses that are a major cause of death.

When combined with other workplace hazards, like asbestos, silica, and creosote exposure to diesel fumes can result in the development of life-threatening pulmonary diseases, including asthma. These ailments can stop railroad workers from returning to their jobs, and may even reduce their quality of life.

In one case our attorneys successfully represented an FELA lawsuit filed by an engineer for locomotives who claimed he contracted leukemia and other types of cancer because of exposure to toxic diesel fumes and toxic chemicals while working on railroad equipment. The court granted summary judgment for the railroads in dispute. It decided that Plaintiff had not made a reasonable search for information regarding his illness at the time the disease was discovered, and that his claims are not time-barred.

Dust

Railroad workers are often exposed to various kinds of dust, including silica from ballast, coal dust, and petroleum or chemical fuels. These harmful substances can be harmful to an individual's health and contribute to respiratory illness, such as asthma.

Our FELA attorney has helped many people seek compensation for exposure to these substances. Fortunately, FELA allows workers who have been diagnosed with a specific illness to claim their employers are accountable for their failure to protect workers from hazardous work environments.

For example, 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 caused by scarring of the lung tissue. In his FELA claim, the plaintiff claimed that inhaling diesel fumes hundreds, if no thousands of times contributed to the onset and Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit development of his lung disease. Jurors were not persuaded by the testimony of defense experts that the locomotive engineer's lung disease could have a different source.

Similarly, Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Sierra Club successfully sued BNSF wasatch railroad contractors lawsuit over its coal trains. Every time a train passes through the Gorge and pollutes sensitive habitats for wildlife and plants, the wetlands, tributary streams and the Columbia River with coal dust and other debris. BNSF has announced that it will stop bringing coal in the Gorge, and other locations.

Asbestos

Railroad workers have long been exposed to dangerous chemicals. While asbestos has been mostly removed from the workplace, other harmful materials still remain. Chemical solvents have been proven to cause respiratory illnesses and asthma. Railroad workers are able to sue their employers to get compensation for their losses.

In one instance the jury found that a 61-year old locomotive engineer was suffering from asthma caused by diesel due to his work on railroads. The condition forced him to take medical leave, resulting in loss of earnings. He also underwent two back surgeries including the lumbar spine fusion with multilevels. All of this added up to huge medical expenses.

He stated that while working on different railways he was exposed to diesel exhaust fumes strong odors silica dust particles chemicals and spray paints including black smoke as well as welding grease, motor grease and engine oil. His chest tightened, his throat ached and he had difficulties swallowing. He suffered from bronchitis and allergies as well.

The railroads successfully argued the release of the plaintiff from 1996 should block his lawsuit since he was aware of the dangers being exposed to asbestos. Hughes Law Offices also argued that the statute of limitations should be tolled until the plaintiff was diagnosed with cancer to allow him to seek medical attention and determine if his illness was related to his employment.

Poor Ventilation

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

A jury awarded a former Conrail engineer $2.6 million in the course of his occupational illness trial after determining that the retiree's asthma, which is a chronic problem, was caused by the constant exposure to diesel exhaust fumes while working on locomotives at rail yards. The lawyers for the plaintiffs argued that railroads failed to prevent exposure to diesel exhaust by not installing adequate ventilation in the cabs of locomotives.

In addition to the diesel fumes railroad workers breathe, they frequently come into contact with toxic chemicals and other harmful substances in their work. In the construction and maintenance of railroad material, asbestos, benzene and other carcinogens are discovered. Unfortunately, these hazardous substances can lead to a variety of diseases and health issues, including pulmonary diseases like asthma.

If you suffer from asthma that developed due to your working on the railroad, or in the case of someone you love who has been diagnosed with cancer that could be related to the rail industry and a Houston FELA lawyer can help you hold your employer accountable for their negligence. A professional attorney you can trust can increase your chances of receiving the financial compensation you're entitled to for the loss and suffering.