How to File a Railroad LawsuitChemical solvents are an integral part of the working environment for many railroad workers. If you developed leukemia after working for a railroad and suspect your workplace exposure was the cause you could be entitled to compensation.As opposed to workers' compensation claims, FELA suits allow plaintiffs to receive unlimited damages. Find out more about FELA claims and how to file a claim.Benzene Exposure LawsuitsThe chemical Benzene is made of petroleum that is found in gasoline, crude oil and diesel fuel. It is a light yellow or clear liquid that evaporates into a dangerous vapor when exposed to air. It is used to make rubber, chemicals and paints. It is also employed to clean machines and remove grease. In the course of their work railroad workers handle or make use of toxic chemicals.Workers exposed to benzene during work can develop leukemia and cancers. The symptoms can include nausea, fatigue, and loss of hair. The patient may also experience loss of memory or difficulty concentrating.If a worker develops one of these diseases they can sue their employer under the Federal Employers Liability Act. In order to receive damages, the worker must establish that their employment and exposure to the chemical was a significant cause of the disease.Workers who have been exposed to benzene could also claim wrongful deaths against their employers. The wrongful death damages can be used to cover funeral and burial costs as well as future lost wages as well as emotional distress, and pain and suffering. These damages are calculated using the same methods that workers who receive FELA compensation are paid.FELA LawsuitsRailroad companies are well-known for exposing their workers to carcinogens like asbestos, diesel exhaust, and lead. Unfortunately this puts many former railroad workers at a greater risk of developing serious occupational diseases such as mesothelioma or lung cancer. These workers have the option to sue in order to obtain compensation for their injuries. The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows those workers to sue their employers under a distinct legal framework than traditional workers' compensation programs.Unlike workers' comp statutes, FELA is a fault-based law that requires employees to prove that their negligence by their employer played a part in their illness or injury. If an employee can prove that a railroad company's negligence contributed to their injury and/or illness, they are entitled to damages for the losses they suffered. This includes claims for lost wages, medical expenses as well as pain and suffering.Unfortunately, railroad companies fight these claims with sophisticated and often aggressive litigation strategies. This can be as simple as the argument that the former worker cannot pinpoint an exact instance where toxic substances were exposed, and cannot name a manufacturer or product that contained toxic chemicals or toxins. A knowledgeable FELA attorney who is specialized in railroad injury cases can defend against these defenses. They can also find evidence of negligence by the railroad from a variety of sources, including third-parties.Class Action LawsuitsA class action lawsuit permits one plaintiff to sue for others who have suffered similar injuries. csx railroad lawsuit , called"class representative "class representative," sues a company (in this instance, BNSF Railway Company). The "class" is a group of individuals with similar claims. In class cases, a single court decides the case for the entire group. This is more efficient than having many individual lawsuits.If you are a member of the Class, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses as well as lost earnings, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and other damages. You could also be entitled to wrongful death damages if a loved one died of railroad-related leukemia.Railroad companies have a responsibility to provide a safe working environment for their employees. However, many railroads don't meet this obligation. Workers are exposed to harmful industrial chemicals and diesel exhaust at work. This can lead to cancer and other long-term health problems.This Court has certified this Class and is moving it toward trial. It has not yet decided whether BNSF violated BIPA or what amount of money or benefits you might be able to receive. If and when the Court decides to rule that it did, you will be informed regarding the process to get any benefits or money. The documents available on this website, which include the Court's Order to certify the Class and the Second Amended Complaint filed by the Plaintiff and BNSF's Answer to the Second Amended Complaint, can assist you in determining whether you have claims.Wrongful death lawsuitsIn cases where someone has died because of another's negligence, the victim's family could file a wrongful death lawsuit. This type of claim seeks to compensate the deceased's economic losses and their loss of affection and companionship, as well as any other personal suffering. The survivors of the family are compensated for their losses and costs they'll incur in the future. A wrongful death lawsuit can be brought by the person who died's spouse, children, siblings parents, nieces and nephews or anyone who was financially dependent on them at the time of the accident.In the event of a fatal railroad accident, a wrongful death lawsuit can make the railroad company accountable for the death of a loved one. A train accident lawyer can help the victim's family to receive the maximum amount of compensation.For example when a wrongful demise suit involving the aftermath of a train crash, an attorney can review the facts of the case, such as accident reports and physical evidence. Attorneys can also utilize expert witness testimony as well as other sources to present the strongest case.In a case of wrongful death in which a wife was suing BNSF for the death of her husband at a railroad cross in Pontotoc County. The widow claimed that BNSF did not provide sufficient warnings. She claimed that the crossing did not have automatic gates and that the lights that flashed didn't provide accurate warnings that a train was coming. BNSF filed pretrial motions, arguing that federal law preempted widow's claims. The court ruled against BNSF's motions.