FELA and Railroad LawsuitsPeople who are exposed to harmful chemicals like diesel exhaust, coal fumes or asbestos may be diagnosed with serious illnesses like cancer. A successful FELA claim could award damages that cover medical expenses, income loss pain suffering and more.Union Pacific recently awarded $7.5 Million to an employee of the railroad who contracted Leukemia. This is just one illustration of how the justice system is standing up for the victims.BenzeneRailroad workers often work with chemical solvents and other dangerous substances, like benzene. Benzene, a highly-evaporative liquid is absorbed through the skin or inhaled. It has been linked to a range of medical illnesses, including cancer, blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphoma, as well as bone marrow diseases. It is also a carcinogen as well as is a component of coal creosote, a substance used to shield railroad ties from sunlight, heat, rain and snow.A former rail worker claimed his exposure to benzene when working with coal tar creosote railroad ties led to Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), which grew into Acute Myeloid Leukemia. A jury awarded him $7.5 million last September.Anyone diagnosed with cancer or other chronic illnesses that result from exposure to asbestos, benzene radioactive substances, benzene and other toxic chemicals have the right to file a claim for compensation under FELA. Depending on the kind of cancer or illness the statute of limitation will vary, therefore it is important to speak with an experienced lawyer as soon as you can.Shaw Cowart's railroad attorneys can assist you in determining whether your case is a candidate to be a FELA lawsuit. We offer free consultations, and we are well-versed in FELA and railroad workplaces.AsbestosOur attorneys have represented railroad workers who were diagnosed with lung cancer and other health issues due to asbestos exposure. They frequently worked in areas like repair shops, engine rooms, and yards and on rail cars that had been damaged or track equipment that had deteriorating asbestos insulation. This type of asbestos is particularly dangerous because, when it gets deteriorated tiny fibers are released into air. The fibers are breathed in by railway workers and may cause mesothelioma or lung cancer as well as asbestosis, and the pleural plaque.Railroad workers are at the risk of developing lung cancer from diesel exhaust, silicasand, and welding fumes. These fumes can cause harm to the kidneys, lungs and the gastrointestinal tract. These injuries are often identified after years of exposure and can result in a variety of serious and debilitating medical issues.A recent case involving Conrail highlights the dangers of this kind of work. The Appeals Court has upheld a jury verdict of $2.3million against the railroad company in respect of a former railway worker who died of mesothelioma. The jury awarded damages for his suffering and pain, as well as loss of companionship, future medical costs and other expenses. The case highlights the importance to work with an experienced attorney who can quickly evaluate whether an FELA claim is legitimate.Radioactive SubstancesPeople exposed to radioactive substances could develop cancer or other serious diseases. They are often concealed in the materials used by railroads to clean tracks and other rail yards. They are often difficult to detect unless the railroad company is checking them for alpha and the gamma radiation. If railroad cancer lawsuit is diagnosed with cancer or another ailment caused by exposure to carcinogenic substances on the job, he is able to file a FELA and receive compensation from his former employer.Railroad workers are more prone than other workers to develop cancer. They are constantly exposed chemicals that can cause lung cancer. These include asbestos, silica (silica) as well as diesel fumes or welding fumes.A lawyer for railroads should be consulted as soon as possible by railroad workers who have been diagnosed as having cancer because of exposure during their work. They can help them determine whether they have a claim against their former employers and make the appropriate lawsuits under FELA. Leukemia lawsuit can include compensation for medical expenses or loss of income, as well as pain and suffering. They also can compensate for the death of a loved in the case of wrongful death. An experienced railroad attorney can help victims get the full amount of damages they are entitled to, under FELA.FELAConductors, engineers, and train crew members work in dangerous environments that can cause damage to their lungs without even realizing. Former railroad workers who develop lung cancer or any other condition that may have been due to their work may seek compensation under Federal Employers Liability (FELA).Unlike workers' compensation, FELA allows railroad employees who are injured to file a lawsuit. This includes past and future medical costs and emotional suffering. A lawyer familiar with rules of FELA can explain your options to file.In order to prevail in a FELA claim it is necessary to prove that your employer was negligent. It could be a matter of breaking a rule or law or failing to adhere to the reasonable standards of care, and many more. A knowledgeable FELA lawyer could review your case to determine whether negligence by the railroad was a factor in the triggering of your illness.A variety of lung diseases and illnesses could be linked to railroad exposures. If railroad cancer lawsuit were exposed during your railroad work to diesel exhaust or other toxins like creosote, asbestos, or creosote, a mesothelioma lawyer could help you file claims for compensation under the FELA. The FELA cases handled by Hughes Law Offices in the past have led to a variety of verdicts and settlements.