FELA Lawsuits - Why You Should File a Railroad Lawsuit

The Federal Employer's Liability Act gives railroad workers, old and new, the right to sue their employer if they develop cancer or any other chronic illness, due to exposure to benzene fumes, diesel fumes, and other carcinogens. Call today to schedule a consultation with a knowledgeable railroad lawyer today.

FELA Lawsuits

Every day railroads transport passengers, goods, and services across the nation. It requires a lot of railroad workers to operate and manage these massive systems. The job of a railway worker is extremely dangerous, despite the technological advancements. The Federal Employers Liability Act was put in place to protect railroad workers who are injured.

Contrary to workers' compensation which is a no-fault system, those who claim under FELA must prove that their railroad's employer was negligent in order to receive compensation. Usually, Esophageal cancer lawsuit is accomplished through showing that the railroad violated some federal norm, for example the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, Boiler Inspection Act, or Safety Appliance Act.

In FELA cases it is much easier to prove negligence than in other personal injury claims. This is due to the standard of comparative negligence which permits individuals to seek compensation even if their own actions contributed to their injuries.

Shaw Cowart's lawyers have extensive experience with FELA claims, and they know how to investigate evidence in these cases. Since the time for filing a FELA claim is limited so it is crucial to find an attorney as soon as possible after your injury. This gives us time to gather statements, documents, records and other evidence. Contact us today to set up a a consultation with a railroad litigation attorney.

Exposure to carcinogens

Railroad workers are at risk of contracting illnesses due to exposure to toxic chemicals. For a long time, railroad workers have been exposed to diesel fumes, asbestos, lead, silica and creosote. This is why these chemicals can cause cancer and other illnesses among railroad employees. If a past or current railroad employee has an illness directly related to the chemicals that they were exposed to during their work and is able to submit an FELA suit.

Numerous studies have proven that railroad workers be more susceptible to a high rate of cancer than those working in other occupations. The most frequent kinds of cancers found in railroad workers are throat, esophageal, and lung cancer as well as basal cell carcinomas of the head and neck.

One of the most frequent carcinogens railway workers are exposed to is benzene. The smell of benzene is sweet and is an odorless and colorless gas. It was banned in the United States more than 20 years ago, yet it is present in crude oil, gasoline and diesel exhaust. It is also a component in some degreasers and solvents. Latonya Paige is suing BNSF as well as the City of Houston and Texas after her nephew died of leukemia. The lawsuit alleges that the railroad and the city contaminated the neighborhood with toxic chemicals that came from the rail yard of the railroad. Giles lived just a few blocks from the rail yard as well as the creosote treatment facility.

The symptoms of Cancer

Railroad transportation is vital to the American economy. Each year, America's railroads carry 30 million passengers as well as 1.6 billion tons of freight, including food timber and other materials, crude oil, grain, automobiles, chemicals, crushed stone and metal ore. Railroad workers are exposed to a diverse range of hazardous materials and are prone to developing illnesses like cancer as a result. Stomach cancer lawsuit could help you file a lawsuit against your employer.

One former Union Pacific employee claims that the company's negligence caused his basal cell cancer. It's a type of skin cancer. He claims that exposure to sunlight radiation and creosote-coated railroad ties in the years 1968 through 2009 caused the condition. He also claims that his workplace was not equipped with the right safety equipment to protect him from his workplace hazards.


LaTonya Paige, a second plaintiff who claims that her breast cancer was caused by her work at the Union Pacific rail yard. The Houston resident claimed she first noticed an abnormal lump in her breast in 2016. The mass was found to be malignant after doctors removed it. The cancer has spread from her lymph nodes to her liver, lungs and esophagus.

The Houston mayor asked the Biden administration for fines and orders to clean up a Union Pacific site located in his city. Esophageal cancer lawsuit was used until the 1980s to store railroad ties made of wood which were treated with creosote, which is a chemical blend of coal tar as well as other toxic chemicals. In a study released by Texas health officials in January, the area was associated with clusters of acute leukemia, lung cancer, bladder cancer, colon and rectal carcinomas, and rheumatoid arthritis.

The symptoms of other Diseases

Railroad workers are at risk of developing serious health problems, especially in the event that they are exposed chemicals on a daily basis. The Federal Employers Liability Act allows railway workers to seek compensation in the event that their employer violates the law. Chaffin Luhana is committed to ensuring these victims receive the full amount of compensation they are entitled to.

Studies show that workers in the railway industry are more likely to develop various types of cancer. If the workers are working in locomotives or working in yards, they are typically exposed to harmful chemicals. For instance research has revealed that railroad workers exposed to diesel exhaust were more likely to suffer from lung cancer. Another chemical that has been associated with cancer among railroad workers is benzene, which is present in many degreasers and solvents used by railroad companies. It is also a constituent of diesel exhaust, and is known to cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma in railroad workers.

In September the month of September, a jury awarded $7.5 million to a railroad employee who was diagnosed with leukemia. The plaintiff worked for Chicago and North Western Railroad and later, for Union Pacific Railroad Company, for decades. He claimed that he didn't wear protective equipment while installing railroad ties soaked in creosote. mesothelioma lawsuit claimed to have been exposed to degreasing agents and led. He was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) that eventually progressed to acute myeloid leukemia.