Railroad lawsuits against union pacific railroad For Asthma and Silicosis

Railroad workers are frequently exposed to risky exposures on the job. The exposures could cause serious diseases like cancer and the silicosis. It could take years before these diseases develop.

Pneumoconiosis, also known as black lung disease, has afflicted thousands of coal miners. Many of these miners are fighting for benefits.

Asthma

Railroad workers are often exposed to diesel fumes, which can trigger a range of health problems that can be debilitating. Poor ventilation, the accumulation of soot within train cabs and working alongside operating locomotives can all increase the risk of developing asthma or other respiratory ailments. Even mild asthma can impact the ability of railroad class action lawsuit workers to complete certain tasks. A severe asthma attack can render a once-dependable railroad worker unfit to work at all. A New York railroad lawyer can help railroad workers suffering from these conditions in pursuing financial recovery.

FELA claims permit plaintiffs to claim compensation for any negative impact their asthma has had on their life which includes the cost of medication, lost wages and other economic losses. To be successful in a FELA claim, an employee must prove that their injuries were the result of an occupational exposure.

One FELA lawsuit filed by residents living in the area around the rail yard of CSX in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania alleges that a huge amount of coal dust flows from the facility and is a nuisance to homes and cars of residents. According to the lawsuit, the dust irritates residents' eyes and lungs. The lawsuit asserts that csx railroad lawsuit releases cancer-causing vinylchloride, and burns it, which could affect water supply in the area.

Cancer

Cancer can be caused in many ways, including genetics or lifestyle choices. However, it can be caused by exposure to harmful chemicals. For instance, a regular exposure to vinyl chloride (a chemical that the Environmental Protection Agency classifies as a carcinogen, can increase one's likelihood of developing liver cancer or another organ damage. People who work in factories producing vinyl products as well as other chemicals may be exposed to toxic chemicals that are released into air as a result of the production process or transport.

Another example of a cancer-causing substance is asbestos which is present in the insulation used in rail cars and in many other products. Asbestos exposure can cause mesothelioma, which is a type of lung cancer that is generally fatal. If you develop mesothelioma as result of asbestos exposure, contact an experienced railroad lawyer.

A retired railroad worker who was disabled due to a lung disease referred to as black lung may be eligible for disability benefits, a court has decided. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the conclusions of an administrative law judge and the Benefits Review Board that Olen Roberson was entitled to benefits typically paid to coal miners who suffer from the same ailment. Roberson's work required him connect and uncouple high-pressure air hoses which were connected to coal automobiles. This caused coal dust to be released into the air.

Injuries

Working on the railroad is a dangerous job that can cause severe injuries that are sudden or damage to your health from wear and tear. Unlike most workers, railroad employees are covered under FELA (Federal Employers Liability Act) which was passed in 1908, which allows employees to sue their employers for compensation following a workplace accident.

Railroads have a duty to employ reasonable care when operating of their property. They also have to ensure that it is free of dangerous conditions that could result in injury to drivers or pedestrians on roads straddled by railroad lines. Railroads must also warn drivers and pedestrians of the presence of railroad tracks and cars. They must also ensure an extremely high level of security for anyone who enters or traverses their railroad property.

Coal mines, train yards, and other industrial sites can emit toxic fumes and dust that can cause irritation or permanent damage to the lungs, nose, ears, and throat of workers. These hazardous conditions can be caused by machinery that is not properly maintained or the combustion of silica, coal, locomotive sand hoppers and asbestos in older trains.

Exposure to carcinogens such as benzene, chemical solvents and railroad welding fumes may cause cancer. Certain railroad workers have developed occupational diseases that are difficult diagnose and treat. If a railroad employee develops an illness or disease related to their job and needs to consult a skilled railroad injury lawyer to find out more about their legal options.

Claims involving FELA

Railroad workers are highly skilled and have very specific jobs which can result in devastating injuries. Injuries that are caused by the negligence of a train company can cause a person to be unable to return to work and result in huge medical expenses. In these cases railroad workers injured by negligence are entitled to compensation through the Federal Employees Liability Act (FELA).

The FELA statute of limitations is three years from the date of injury or death. However, it takes time to fully assess and identify an injury. If an employee fails to pursue legal class action lawsuit against norfolk southern railroad within the three-year timeframe the case is likely to be dismissed by the court.

In a FELA suit, the proof of negligence by the railroad is less difficult than in a traditional personal injury claim. The plaintiff needs to prove that the railroad's negligence caused his or her injury. But, railroad companies often argue that they aren't responsible for injuries caused through the use of comparative negligence.

Contact an experienced Chicago railroad injury lawyer to protect the railroad employee's FELA claim. A lawyer who is experienced will begin investigating the case as soon as possible. This typically involves taking photographs of the accident scene and interviewing witnesses. It could also involve checking the equipment employed in the accident. As time gets longer, it becomes more difficult to prove the basis for a FELA claim because evidence may disappear or witnesses' memories fade.