Railroad Lawsuit Kidney Cancer
Rail workers are exposed carcinogens. Exposure to diesel fuel, benzene, creosote and other toxic substances has contributed to cancer as well as other chronic illnesses like leukemia, lung cancer mesothelioma, bladder cancer and kidney cancer.
Call a railroad cancer lawyer today to schedule a complimentary initial consultation in the event that you or someone close to you has developed an illness that is related to your employment with a railway.
Exposure to Carcinogens
Railroad workers are exposed to various carcinogens that are dangerous on a regular basis. These include diesel exhaust, asbestos and benzene. Railroad cancer lawsuits against various railroad companies have been filed in large quantities. The lawsuits were filed under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) that was created in 1908.
People who suffer from cancer due to on-the-job exposure to toxins may be qualified for compensation. A knowledgeable railroad injury lawyer can review a victim's claim to determine whether there is an opportunity to file a FELA lawsuit against the company that caused the illness.
A railroad employee may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other damages related to their illness. Lawyers can assist a client with filing a suit prior to the three-year statute established by FELA.
James Brown, the plaintiff claims his leukemia came on the heels of years of exposure to chemicals like creosote, or degreasing solvents. He worked on tank cars brake shoes, cabooses, and tank cars. He claims he walked across railroad ties that smelled of creosote. Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Settlements saw plaques with skulls and crosses on train vehicles, indicating toxic substances. He claims that he was exposed to diesel fumes while working on locomotive engines or when he stopped in tunnels. The toxins caused headaches and caused breathing difficulties.
Inability to provide an appropriate Work Environment
Although railroad work has always been a risky work, recent studies indicate that many common railway-related occupational hazards have a direct correlation to cancer and other serious diseases. Federal law requires railroad employers to provide their workers with adequate protection and direction to ensure their safety. If they fail to comply, they may be held liable for severe injuries that result in death, or financial ruin.
It is recommended that you seek legal advice from an experienced lawyer If you were a railroad employee or if you have a loved-one who was. An attorney can help you determine whether your exposure to carcinogens while on the job is sufficient for you to file an action. There is a 3-year statute of limitations, so it is imperative to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
In addition to asbestos, railroad workers are also exposed to toxic chemicals like creosote as well as diesel fumes and exhaust. In many cases, these toxic fumes can trigger cancer in a variety of forms including mesothelioma, among other lung diseases. If you've suffered from any of these conditions, it is critical that you consult a skilled railroad injury lawyer right away.
The plaintiff worked for the ICRC as a mechanic/carman between September 1975 until December 2015. He claims that his time with the ICRC led to his development of renal (and later adrenal) cancer. He claims that he was constantly exposed to the hazardous chemical, carbon tetrachloride. This chemical is utilized by railroads for cleaning their tracks and brake systems.
Negligence
A railroad lawsuit can be filed under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) which permits railroad workers to directly complain against their employers. To be legally entitled to damages, a worker must prove that the railroad company was negligent in causing their injury or illness.
Plaintiff Greger was exposed, while working on the railroad, to a variety of toxic chemicals and environmental conditions. Carbon tetrachloride is used to clean rail and brake systems. He claims that the company did not take the time to warn him about the dangers of the chemical, which has been associated with cancer.
He also walked over rail ties covered in creosote, which he claims was known to be harmful. He also breathed in diesel fumes inside locomotive cabs and testified that he suffered from headaches and difficulty breathing. He also breathed in diesel exhaust when he stopped in tunnels of locomotives that were running and claims that this caused him to feel sick.
He claims that he inquired with his doctors about the connection between his railway work and kidney cancer however they failed to offer any information about the connection. He claims that this was negligent and that the defendant railroad should have been aware of the connection between exposure to these chemicals and kidney cancer. He is seeking to recover compensation for his medical expenses as well as suffering and pain, loss of earnings and emotional distress.
Damages
In a lawsuit involving cancer of the railroad, damages are a combination between medical expenses, lost wages, and other costs. The amount of these damages could differ greatly based on the particular case. A competent attorney will ensure that you receive the full amount for your losses.
In 2008, a man who was 51 was diagnosed with acute myeloid lymphoma (AML) and myelodysplastic Symptom (MDS). He was an employee of maintenance of way for Chicago & North Western Railway and its successor Union Pacific Railroad from 1976 to 2008 as a machinist. He was exposed to chemicals that contained creosote and benzene. and degreasing agents.
Railroad companies have a legal obligation to adhere to the government's safety rules for workplaces, which include safeguarding workers from exposure to carcinogens that are well-known. If a railroad does not comply to follow these rules and the consequences could be devastating for the victims and their families.
The attorneys at Hughes Law Offices have represented thousands of injured people, including many railroad workers who have been exposed to toxic fumes. Call us today for a no-cost consultation with an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer for railroad accidents. Andrew Hughes, the founder of the firm has been defending railroads in FELA claims for the bulk of his legal career. He is well-versed in the law and the potential conditions that can result from exposure to the workplace.