Railroad Lawsuit Kidney Cancer
Railroad workers are frequently exposed to carcinogens that are dangerous. Exposure to harmful substances like diesel fuel, benzene and creosote has been linked to cancers and chronic illnesses like lung cancer, mesothelioma and bladder cancer.
Contact a railroad cancer lawyer now for a no-cost initial consultation If you or someone close to you has been diagnosed with a serious illness that is linked to your work on a railway.
Lymphoma lawsuit to Carcinogens
Every day, railroad workers are exposed to carcinogens. These include diesel exhaust, asbestos and benzene. Many railroad cancer lawsuits have been filed against various railroad companies. The lawsuits were filed under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) that was created in 1908.
The victims who develop cancer due to on-the-job exposure to toxins may be qualified for compensation. An attorney for railroad injuries will evaluate a claim by a victim and determine if there is a FELA lawsuit can be filed against the business that caused their illness.
A railroad worker may be entitled to compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages as well as other damages caused by their illness. A lawyer can help the client file a lawsuit within the three-year time frame of limitations imposed by FELA.
Plaintiff James Brown alleges that he suffered from leukemia as a consequence of working for years on trains and being exposed to chemicals like creosote and degreasing solvents. He worked on tanks, brake shoes and cabooses. He claims that he was walking on railroad ties that smelled like creosote and also saw signs on train vehicles with skulls and crossbones, which indicated the contents contained toxic substances. He also claims that he was exposed to diesel fumes while working on locomotive engines and when stopping in tunnels. The toxins caused headaches and made breathing difficult.
Inability to provide a safe Work Environment
Despite the fact that work in railroads has always posed a high risk, recent studies have proven that many of the common occupational hazards that railway workers face are directly linked to cancer and other serious diseases. Federal law requires railroad employers to provide workers with sufficient guidance and protection to keep them safe. If they fail to do so they could be held responsible for severe injuries that result in death and financial ruin.
You should seek legal advice from an experienced lawyer when you were a railroad employee or if you have loved ones who were. An attorney can determine whether your exposure to carcinogens during the job is enough to allow you to file an action. A three-year statute of limitations is in place, so you must contact an attorney as soon as possible.
In addition to asbestos, railroad workers also have to deal with toxic chemicals such as creosote as well as diesel fumes and exhaust. Most often, these toxic fumes can cause cancer in a variety of forms including mesothelioma and various lung diseases. If you've been diagnosed with one of these diseases it is imperative that you consult a knowledgeable railroad injury lawyer as soon as possible.
The plaintiff was employed by the ICRC from September 1975 to December 2015. He claims that his position in the ICRC led to his development of renal (and later adrenal) cancer. He claims that he was exposed to the dangerous chemical carbon tetrachloride. This is used by railroads to clean their tracks and braking systems.
Negligence
A lawsuit against a railroad company can be filed under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) which permits railroad employees to file complaints directly against their employers. To be qualified for damages the worker must prove that the railroad company was negligent in causing their illness or injury.
While working on the railway and in the braking system, plaintiff Greger was exposed to a variety of hazardous chemicals and environmental conditions. Carbon tetrachloride was utilized to clean rail and brake systems. The company failed to inform him of the possible dangers of this chemical that is known to cause cancer.
He also claims to have walked across rail ties that were covered in creosote. The substance was regarded as a hazard. He also breathed diesel fumes in the cabs of locomotives and testified to having headaches and breathing difficulties. He claims to have been sickened by diesel exhaust when he stopped in tunnels while on the train.
He claims that he asked his doctors about the connection between his work on the railway and kidney cancer, but they did not provide any details about this connection. He argues that this was negligent and that the railroad defendant should have been aware of the connection between the exposures to kidney cancer and these exposures. He wants to be compensated for medical expenses, pain and suffering and lost earnings.
Damages
The damages in a kidney cancer lawsuit filed by a railroad are a result of medical bills as well as lost wages, among other expenses. The amount of these damages may vary greatly based on the particular case. A knowledgeable lawyer will work to ensure that you receive full compensation for the losses you suffered.
In one instance, a 51-year-old man was diagnosed with myelodysplastic disease (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in 2008. He was a machinist with Chicago & North Western Railway, and its successor Union Pacific Railroad, from 1976 until 2008. In that period, he experienced years of exposure to benzene-rich chemicals including creosote and degreasing solvents.
Railroad companies are legally accountable for ensuring compliance with workplace safety rules. This includes ensuring that workers are protected from carcinogens. If a railroad does not comply to do so, the consequences can be devastating for the victims and their families.
Hughes Law Offices has represented thousands injured people, including railroad workers exposed to toxic fumes. Contact us today for free consultation with a expert railroad injury lawyer. The founder Andrew Hughes actually defended railroads in FELA cases for the majority of his legal career, which means he is well-versed in the laws surrounding these claims, as well as the potential dangers that can arise from job exposure.