Railroad Lawsuits and AsthmaRailroad workers often are exposed to fumes and toxic chemicals such as silica, creosote, and asbestos. These exposures can lead to respiratory disorders like asthma.Fortunately, the victims could be eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act. An asthma attorney for railroad lawsuits can help. Here are a few examples of successful settlements and verdicts.Diesel ExhaustBecause trains run on diesel fuel, railroad workers are exposed variety of diesel fumes through the day. These fumes are composed of tiny soot particles gases and other toxic chemicals that can cause serious health issues. The exposure to these fumes can cause the development of asthma and other lung diseases.Since the beginning of time railroads have been conscious of the dangers posed by diesel exhaust. However many companies have not taken sufficient steps to safeguard their employees. As a result, some railroad workers have been diagnosed with respiratory ailments that are severe and debilitating.Excessive exposure to diesel fumes when coupled with other workplace hazards, such as asbestos, creosote or silica can result in life-altering lung diseases, like asthma. These conditions can hinder railroad workers from returning to their jobs and can even impact their quality of life.In one instance, our lawyers successfully represented the defense of a FELA lawsuit filed by an engineer on the locomotive who claimed that he had developed leukemia and other cancers as a result of his exposure to toxic chemicals and diesel fumes when working on railroad equipment. The court granted summary judgment for the railroad defendants, deciding that Plaintiff did not conduct an adequate research into the details of his condition at the time of diagnosis, and that his claims were barred by time.DustRail workers are exposed to a variety of dusts, including silica dust from ballasts and coal dust. They may also be exposed to petroleum or chemical fuels. These toxic substances pose a threat to health and can cause respiratory illnesses like asthma.Our FELA attorney has helped a lot of people pursue compensation for their exposure to these substances. FELA allows employees suffering from certain illnesses to hold employers accountable for failing to protect them from dangers in their workplaces.A Montana jury, for instance has awarded $3.7 Million to a former locomotive engineer who suffered from pulmonary fibroidsis. This is a lung condition that progresses due to scarring of lung tissue. In his FELA claim, it was claimed that inhaling diesel fumes hundreds, perhaps thousands of times contributed to the onset and progress of his lung disease. Jurors were not convinced by the testimony of defense experts that the locomotive engineer's lung disease must have a different cause.Similar to that, Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Sierra Club successfully sued BNSF railroad over its coal trains. Every time a train traverses the Gorge it pollutes habitats that are sensitive for plants and wildlife, and tributary rivers, and the Columbia River. As a result of this lawsuit, BNSF will stop transporting coal through the Gorge and other locations.AsbestosRailroad workers have for a long time been exposed to dangerous chemicals. Other toxic substances remain in the workplace, even when asbestos has been removed. Chemical solvents, for instance, have been recognized to cause asthma and other respiratory illnesses. Railroad employees can sue their employers to get compensation for their losses.In one instance one case, a 61-year-old locomotive engineer was awarded $2.6 million after a jury verdict found that his work at the railroad caused him to suffer from diesel asthma. The condition forced him to take medical leave, resulting in a loss of wages. He also underwent two back surgeries, including an lumbar spine fusion that was multi-level. All of this amounted to significant medical costs.He admitted that while working at various railways, he was exposed to diesel exhaust fumes, strong smells, silica dust particles, chemicals and spray paints as well as black smoke as well as motor grease, welding and engine oil. His chest tenseened, his throat hurt and he experienced difficulties swallowing. He also suffered from chronic allergies and bronchitis.The railroads successfully argued the release of the plaintiff in 1996 should not be barred from the new lawsuit as he knew the risk when he was exposed asbestos. Hughes Law Offices argued that the statute should be extended until the plaintiff is diagnosed with cancer in order to allow him to seek medical attention and determine if the condition is related to his job.Poor VentilationIf you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with lung disease, mesothelioma or any other cancer that may be related to your employment in the railroad industry you might be able file an FELA lawsuit against the company which employed you. FELA lawsuits can provide compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and suffering and pain. Contact a Houston FELA lawyer today to discuss your case.A jury awarded an ex- Conrail engineer $2.6 million in his occupational illness trial after determining that the retiree's asthma-related illness was the result of his constant exposure to diesel exhaust fumes during crewing locomotives at rail yards. The plaintiffs' lawyers argued that railroads did not prevent exposure to diesel exhaust fumes by not putting in adequate ventilation in locomotive cabs. blacklands railroad lawsuit are exposed toxic chemicals, as well as diesel fumes. In construction and maintenance material, asbestos, benzene and other carcinogens may be discovered. Sadly, these harmful substances can cause a myriad of cancers and other serious health conditions, including pulmonary conditions such as asthma.If you have asthma that developed due to your job on the railroad or in the case of loved ones who have been diagnosed with cancer that could be linked to the railroad industry and a Houston FELA lawyer can help you ensure that your employer is held accountable for their incompetence. If you contact an experienced lawyer as soon as you can you will have the best chances of obtaining the financial compensation you are entitled to for your pain and losses.