Railroad Lawsuits For Asthma and Silicosis

Railroad workers are often exposed to dangerous exposures on the job. These exposures can lead to serious illnesses, like cancer or silicosis. It could take years for these diseases to develop.

Thousands of coal miners have been afflicted by black lung disease or pneumoconiosis. Some of these miners are now fighting to get benefits.

Asthma

Diesel fumes are a typical exposure for railroad workers and they can lead to serious health problems. Poor ventilation, the collection of soot in train cabs and work performed alongside operating locomotives can all increase a worker's risk of developing asthma or other respiratory conditions. Even mild asthma can affect a railroad worker's ability perform certain tasks. A severe case of asthma can render a once-dependable railroad worker unfit to work at all. A New York railroad lawyer can help railway workers with these conditions seek financial recovery.

FELA claims allow plaintiffs to pursue compensation for any negative impacts their asthma has had on their lives including the expense of medication, lost wages, and other economic losses. To be successful in a FELA claim, a worker must prove that their injuries were the result of an occupational exposure.

Residents living in the vicinity of CSX's railyard in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania filed a FELA lawsuit claiming that a large amount of coal dust is emitted out of the plant and covers cars and homes. The lawsuit states that the dust causes irritation to the residents' eyes and lungs. The lawsuit also asserts that CSX releases and burns cancer-causing vinyl chloride which can be harmful to the water supply of the area.

Cancer

Cancer can be caused by many ways, including genetics or lifestyle choices. However, it could also be the result of exposure to toxic chemicals. For instance exposure to vinyl chloride (a chemical that is classified as carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency) can increase the risk of developing liver or other organ damage. In factories, workers that produce vinyl products and other chemicals may be exposed to toxic substances that can be released into the air due to production or transport.

Another example of a cancer-causing substance is asbestos which is found in the insulation of rail cars as well as in many other products. Asbestos can cause mesothelioma, an air-borne cancer that usually is fatal. People who develop mesothelioma thanks to asbestos exposure must consult an expert railroad lawyer.

A retired railroad worker who was afflicted by a lung illness known as black lung could be eligible for disability benefits, a court has decided. The 4th U.S. The 4th U.S. Roberson's job required him to connect and disconnect high-pressure air pipes that were positioned between coal cars. This caused coal dust to be blown into the air.

Injuries

The railroad industry is a risky one. It is prone to sudden trauma or cumulative health injury. As opposed to most workers, railroad employees are covered under FELA (Federal Employers Liability Act), passed in 1908, which permits employees to sue their employers for compensation after a workplace accident.

Railroads are required to take reasonable care in the use of their property. They are required to keep it free of hazardous conditions that could result in injury to drivers or pedestrians on roads crossed by railroad lines. Railroads must also inform pedestrians and drivers of the presence of their railroad cars and tracks and must ensure a high standard of safety for those who enter or cross their railroad property.

Train yards, coal mines, and other industrial sites can produce toxic fumes and dust that can cause irritation or permanent damage to the nose, lungs and throat of workers. These dangerous conditions could be caused by poorly maintained machinery or the burning of coal, silica in locomotive sand hoppers as well as asbestos on older trains.

Cancer can also be caused by exposure to carcinogens such as benzene and chemical solvents. Certain railroad workers have been diagnosed with occupational diseases that are difficult to identify and treat. Railroad workers who develop an illness or condition that is related to their job should contact an experienced railroad injury lawyer to learn about their legal options.


Claims involving FELA

Railroad workers are specialized and have specific jobs, which can lead to catastrophic injuries. The result of injuries caused by the negligence of a railroad company could render it impossible to return to work and cause huge medical bills. In these situations, railroad workers who are injured have a right to be compensated under the Federal Employees' Liability Act (FELA).

The FELA statute of limitations is three years from the date of the injury or death. union pacific railroad lawsuit takes time to analyze and recognize an injury. If a worker is unable to pursue legal action within the three-year period, court will likely dismiss the case.

In a FELA lawsuit, proving the railroad was negligent is much more straightforward than traditional personal injury claims. The plaintiff needs to show that the railroad's negligence caused their injury. However, railroad companies often argue that they aren't responsible for injuries caused by claiming that they were negligent in a comparative manner.

The most effective method to safeguard the railroad worker's FELA claim is to consult with an experienced Chicago railroad injury attorney. A seasoned attorney will begin investigating the case right away. This typically involves taking pictures of the accident scene and interviewing witnesses, as well as examining the equipment or tools involved in the accident. As time gets longer the process of the process of establishing the basis of a FELA case becomes more difficult because witnesses may forget or evidence may disappear.