Railroad Lawsuits and Asthma
Railroad workers are often exposed to toxic fumes and chemicals such as silica, creosote asbestos, and creosote. cancer lawsuits could cause respiratory illnesses like asthma.
Fortunately, the victims could be entitled to compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act. A good railroad lawsuit asthma lawyer will help. Here are some examples of settlements and verdicts.
Diesel Exhaust
Because trains run on diesel fuels railroad workers are constantly exposed to diesel fumes. These fumes are composed of soot particles as well as toxic chemicals. Exposure to these fumes may contribute to the development of asthma and other lung diseases.
Since the beginning of time railroads have been aware of the dangers associated with diesel exhaust. Many companies have not taken appropriate measures to safeguard their employees. In the end, a few railroad workers have developed respiratory diseases that are debilitating.
When combined with other workplace hazards, such as asbestos, silica and creosote, exposure to diesel fumes can lead to the development of life-changing pulmonary illnesses, such as asthma. These ailments can prevent railroad workers from returning to work and could impact the quality of their lives.
In one case the attorneys of our firm successfully defended an FELA claim brought by a former locomotive engineer who claimed to have developed leukemia and other cancers due to his exposure to diesel fumes as well as other toxic chemicals when working on railway equipment. The court granted summary judgement for the railroads in dispute. It ruled that Plaintiff did not conduct an appropriate search for information about his condition when the diagnosis was made and that the claims he made are time-barred.
Dust
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to different kinds of dust, such as silica from coal dust, ballast and petroleum or chemical fuels. These harmful substances can be harmful to an individual's health and can cause respiratory diseases, such as asthma.
Our FELA lawyer has assisted many people seek compensation for their exposure. Fortunately, FELA allows workers who have been diagnosed with certain ailments to demand accountability from their employers for failing to safeguard them from dangerous work environments.
A Montana jury, for instance, awarded $3.7 Million to a former locomotive engineer who suffered from pulmonary fibroidsis, which is a chronic lung condition caused by scarring of the lung tissue. His FELA claim claimed that the inhalation of diesel exhaust on hundreds or even thousands of occasions contributed to the development of his lung disease. cancer lawsuit of defense experts failed to convince jurors that the locomotive engineer’s lung disease was due to an unrelated source.
In the same way, Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Sierra Club successfully filed a lawsuit against BNSF railroad over its coal trains. union pacific railroad lawsuit passes through the Gorge and pollutes sensitive plant and wildlife habitat, stream tributary wetlands and the Columbia River with coal dust and debris. BNSF has decided to stop transporting coal through the Gorge as well as other places.
Asbestos
Rail workers have been exposed chemicals for a long time. Other toxic materials remain in the workplace, even though asbestos has been removed. Chemical solvents are known to cause asthma and respiratory illnesses. This is the reason railroad employees may file lawsuits to recover damages from the companies that employed them.
In one instance, a 61 year old locomotive engineer was awarded $2.6 million after a jury's verdict revealed that his job at the railroad caused him to suffer from diesel asthma. This illness forced him to take medical leave, resulting in a loss of earnings. He also required two back surgeries, including a multi-level lumbar spinal fusion that added up to considerable medical expenses.
He said He was exposed to diesel exhaust fumes and strong odors. He also said his body was constantly exposed silica particles, chemical compounds, spray paints and black smoke. The chest tightened, the throat was aching and he had difficulty swallowing. He also suffered from allergies and chronic bronchitis.
cancer lawsuit argued that releases the plaintiff signed in 1996 should be void for 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 in order to give him the opportunity to seek medical care and determine if his illness was a result of his work.
Poor Ventilation

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with lung cancer, lung diseases, mesothelioma or other forms of cancers that may be linked to working in the railroad industry, you could be able to file a lawsuit under FELA against the corporation who employed you. FELA lawsuits can provide compensation for medical costs and lost wages, as well as pain and suffering, and other damages. Contact an Houston FELA attorney today to discuss your case.
A jury awarded $2.6 million to an ex- Conrail engineer in his occupational disease trial after determining the source of the asthma he suffered from. The jury found that his exposure to exhaust fumes from diesel engines was almost every day while working in rail yards. The plaintiffs' lawyers argued that railroads did not prevent exposure by not installing adequate ventilation in the cabs of locomotives.
Railroad workers are exposed to toxic chemicals, as well as diesel fumes. Asbestos, benzene and other carcinogens are frequently found in construction and maintenance materials. Sadly, union pacific railroad lawsuit can lead to a variety of cancers and other serious illnesses, including respiratory illnesses like asthma.
A Houston FELA attorney can help you make an employer accountable for their negligence If you suffer from asthma due to your railroad work, or someone close to you has been diagnosed with a cancer that is linked to the railroad industry. By contacting a seasoned attorney as soon as possible you will have the best chances of obtaining the financial compensation that you deserve for your suffering and losses.