Colon Cancer Caused by Railroad Work
Railroad workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals on a regular basis. It has been demonstrated that this can cause cancer and other serious health issues.
For instance asbestos and diesel exhaust have been associated with colon cancer. Exposure to certain metal-working fluids and pesticides, as well as solvents could increase risk of colon cancer.
Exposures
When they are loading or unloading chemicals, cleaning up spills, breathing diesel exhaust, or using other solvents railroad workers are exposed hazardous substances while working. A number of these carcinogens are linked to cancer and other chronic health issues. Railroad workers, both former and present, who suffer from cancer or other chronic illnesses can be eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
A widow of a retired railroad employee claimed that her husband died from stomach cancer caused by asbestos resulting from his work at CSX Transportation Inc.
Another FELA claim involves railroad workers who were exposed to creosote, coal dust and other toxic substances on the job. These chemicals could cause leukemia, blood cancers, and lung diseases.
Benzene, a toxic chemical, is found in a wide range of products used by the railroad. This includes fuel and solvents. Studies have linked benzene to multiple cancers, such as colon cancer. A knowledgeable lawyer for railroad cancer can determine if the illness was caused by exposure to harmful chemicals and file a claim on your behalf. Federal law limits your time to file an injury claim. Therefore, it is important to talk to an attorney whenever you can.
Diagnosis
Rail workers are exposed to toxic fumes and chemicals while on the job. Asbestos, welding fumes, diesel exhaust, and weed-killers like Imazethapyr or dicamba can all cause colon cancer. Railroad workers who are diagnosed with a medical condition related to their job may be entitled to compensation via an action under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
A knowledgeable attorney who has experience in railroad accidents can help you pursue this claim. FELA was passed in 1908 and requires railroads pay employees for injuries incurred on the job. This includes injuries such as cancer, and it could provide an enormous amount of compensation.
A widow in Illinois sued CSX Transportation Inc. at the end of 2016, claiming the company failed to implement the necessary safety measures to ensure the survival of her husband's stomach cancer which metastasized into colon cancer. Ruth Frieson claims that her husband died from cancer due to being exposed to toxins and asbestos during his work. The jury heard evidence from two doctors in rehabilitative medical therapy industrial hygiene, industrial hygienists as well as the wife of the plaintiff, as well as his medical oncologist. They all claimed that diesel exhaust, asbestos and a lifetime smoking contributed to his cancer. The jury pronounced an verdict in the favor of the railroad after just a little over three hours.
Treatment
It is important to seek legal assistance immediately when you've been diagnosed with colon cancer because of your railroad work. Under the Federal Employers Liability Act, railroad workers who are injured can pursue a lawsuit within three years of diagnosis.
A lawsuit against a railroad could be complicated depending on how you were diagnosed with cancer. In certain instances it is difficult to pinpoint the exact time of toxic exposure because many chemicals have an extended half-life.
The jury will take into account a number of factors when determining how much compensation you are entitled to in the event of an injury. This includes the loss of income, medical expenses and the suffering and pain you have endured. You could be entitled to wrongful-death damages if your loved one passes away as a result.
In a recent case an ex-railroad worker claimed that he developed cancer due to the constant exposure on the job to asbestos, diesel exhaust and other toxic chemicals. He claimed that railroads didn't comply with FELA safety standards. However, the court decided that the plaintiff did not conduct a "reasonably diligent" search for information regarding his disease. The jury concluded that he did not have sufficient evidence to support his claim.
Damages
Railroad workers and those living near railyards could be exposed to carcinogenic and toxic chemicals such as asbestos and diesel exhaust. If you've suffered from illnesses related to this exposure our Houston railroad exposure lawyer could help you obtain compensation. In addition to covering future and past medical expenses, you may be entitled to compensation for the loss of earnings and costs for caregivers. Additionally, you can pursue damages for pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment life, emotional distress and more.
union pacific railroad lawsuit secured a defense verdict in favor of a Class 1 railroad client in a Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) case. The plaintiff alleged that he had developed Hodgkin's Lymphoma and kidney cancer as a result of work-related exposure to creosote diesel exhaust, and other toxic substances while working on the railroad as an engineer for locomotives. After less than an hour of deliberation, the jury returned a defense verdict.
In a separate FELA case, our lawyers won the court's summary judgment on behalf the railroad defendant in a lawsuit brought by an ex-train conductor of freight trains. The lawsuit claimed that he suffered from lung cancer due to his railroad work, and was caused by asbestos and other toxic chemicals. We argued that a previous release contract executed in connection with the settlement of the asbestos case was insufficient to bar the claim.