Railroad Lawsuit - Causes of Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma
Railroad workers can be exposed to a wide variety of hazardous chemicals dusts, fumes and dusts. Some illnesses that affect railroad workers can be fatal.
In an FELA asbestos case, we secured a defense verdict from a jury for our client in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County in Pennsylvania. The plaintiff claimed that he suffered from lung cancer as a result of his exposures to asbestos and diesel exhaust in his work at the railroad.
Lung Cancer
Rail workers are exposed to toxic chemicals, such as diesel exhaust, solvents, and welding fumes. These substances inhalable can cause serious health issues including lung cancer. Lung cancer is a fatal disease and is the most common illness among former railroad workers.
The exposure to workplace toxins could also cause other conditions that can lead to other conditions, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The symptoms of COPD include difficulty breathing wheezing and coughing and shortness of breath, as well as weight loss. COPD is triggered by exposure to chemical fumes in the workplace which includes diesel fumes. The symptoms can get worse as you get older.
A railroad COPD attorney might be able to assist injured workers in receiving compensation for medical expenses as well as suffering. In certain situations, the injured worker may receive an amount in lump sum for the damages incurred.
Jackson and Brown attorneys successfully represented their railroad client in a case that was filed in Albany, NY. The lawsuit was filed by an ex-railroad employee who claimed to have contracted leukemia following his time working for three railroads from 1975 and 2007. Plaintiff sought damages under the Federal Employers Liability Act. The Court dismissed the case and granted summary judgment to the railroad client.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma, an uncommon and deadly cancer that affects organs' tissue, is a form of cancer that can be fatal. It is a malignant tumor that can cause life-threatening complications, such as lung failure or respiratory distress. Mesothelioma is found in three distinct types: epithelial (epidermal) and sarcomatoid (sarcoma) and biphasic (mixed).
The type of mesothelioma with which it is diagnosed determines the length of time patients are expected to live. Epithelial mesothelioma sufferers have a better survival rate than those with sarcomatoid or mixed type. People who are diagnosed with mesothelioma of the peritoneal wall or abdominal cavity typically have shorter life expectancies but some do live longer than the median.
Mesothelioma sufferers who work for railroads are entitled to compensation for medical expenses loss of wages, suffering and pain funeral costs, as well as emotional suffering. A railroad lawsuit lawyer can assist victims to receive the financial compensation they deserve.
In a FELA lawsuit, an appeal verdict for a Class I railroad client in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County. Plaintiff alleged that he suffered from colon cancer as a result of the exposure to diesel fumes, secondhand smoke and creosote during his 40 years of railroad work. The case involved a lot of factual, medical and scientific evidence. The jury delivered a unanimous verdict finding that there was no negligence and no violation of the Federal Employers' Liability Act or Locomotive Inspection Act.
Colorectal Cancer
Railroad employees are at risk of many diseases that are connected to their work. Lung cancer is the most common disease for railroad workers, however, there are other illnesses and conditions that can be linked to long term exposure to diesel exhaust or secondhand smoke. A train accident lawyer can assist you if you've developed one of these conditions and want to pursue a claim for economic and non-economic damages under the FELA.
In a case that took place in Philadelphia County, we successfully defended a claim brought by a Plaintiff who alleged that he was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia ("CML") as a consequence of his exposure to diesel exhaust and benzene during his career as an employee of the railroad. After a two-week trial, the jury returned a defense decision.
In the case of a New York case, we obtained summary judgement on behalf of the railroad defendant. A former railroad employee claimed that he had developed bladder cancer due to his exposure to certain substances during his employment with the railroad. We argued, and the court agreed that the plaintiff previously given up the right to bring the claim when signing a release 1996 following a previous suit which claimed a different type of exposure.
Head Cancer
Railroad workers are exposed to a multitude of cancer-causing compounds which include asbestos and diesel exhaust. These poisonous fumes contain microscopic particles that can penetrate into the lung tissue. They are a major cause of chronic diseases such as COPD. COPD is defined as shortness of breath wheezing, coughing, and weight loss.
A successful claim for a respiratory disorder such as COPD requires proof of both economic as well as non-economic losses. A qualified lawyer can explain the different types of damages that are available in this kind of case during a free one-on-one consultation.
Railroad COPD cases often include lung cancer claims as well. Our firm's experienced lung attorneys can assist clients through the process of submitting a successful FELA claim for lung cancer caused by exposure to toxic substances at work.
We successfully preserved favorable trial court rulings as well as a small federal jury award to one client who suffered injuries related to the Hyndman, Pennsylvania train derailment resulting in the release of vinyl chloride in 2017. The client claimed that he needed medical monitoring because he was worried about developing cancer. This is a valid claim to FELA.
We won summary judgment in two cases involving railroad workers who suffered from COPD after working for several years in a yard for railroads. The court ruled that plaintiffs who filed their lawsuits in 2017 are not time-barred since they did not conduct a fair internet search to find information about their condition or its connection to their railroad work.