Colon Cancer Caused by Railroad Work
Railroad workers are exposed to harmful chemicals on a regular basis. It has been proven to cause many kinds of cancer and other serious illnesses.
For instance, asbestos and diesel exhaust have been linked to colon cancer. Exposure to certain metal-working fluids, pesticides, as well solvents could increase risk of colon cancer.
Exposures
Railroad workers are exposed harmful substances on a daily routine. Many of carcinogens have been linked to cancer and other chronic health issues. Federal Employers Liability (FELA) provides compensation to railroad workers suffering from cancer or chronic illnesses.
For instance, the widow of a retired railroad employee claimed that her husband's death due to stomach cancer linked to asbestos was caused by his job as a worker for CSX Transportation Inc. She asserts that CSX did not provide adequate protection equipment to prevent the worker from inhaling asbestos fibers when sanding, washing and painting materials that contained dangerous material.
Another FELA claim concerns railroad workers who are exposed to coal dust and other hazardous agents while at work. These chemicals can cause blood cancers, as well as lung disease.
It is a poisonous chemical that is found in the products used on the railroad including gasoline and other solvents. Studies have linked benzene to a variety of cancers including colon cancer. A lawyer from the railroad industry will determine if the disease you're suffering from was caused by your exposure to hazardous chemicals while working and file a claim on your behalf. Federal law limits your time to file claims. It is therefore crucial to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.
Diagnosis
Railroad workers are exposed many toxic fumes and chemicals while working. The fumes from welding, asbestos, diesel exhaust, and weed killers like Imazethapyr or dicamba, may cause colon cancer in all of us. Railroad workers who are diagnosed with a condition related to their work may be eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
An experienced railroad injury attorney can assist you in pursuing this claim. FELA, passed in 1908 allows railroads to compensate for injuries sustained while on the job. This includes injuries like the diagnosis of cancer, and it can offer significant compensation.
In the summer of 2016, a widow in Illinois filed an action against CSX Transportation Inc. claiming that the company did not provide adequate safety precautions to prevent her husband's death from stomach cancer that was later diagnosed as colon cancer. The plaintiff, Ruth Frieson, claims that her husband's exposure asbestos and toxic substances from his work at CSX caused the cancer and eventually his death. In the course of the trial, jurors were presented with expert testimony from two doctors of rehabilitative medicine and industrial hygienists, as well the wife of the plaintiff and his medical oncologist who claimed that his exposure to diesel exhaust, asbestos, and smoking cigarettes over the years contributed to his cancer. However, the jury gave a verdict in favor of the defendant railroad after just three hours of deliberation.
Treatment
If you've been diagnosed with colon cancer resulting from your railroad job it is crucial to seek legal representation as soon as possible. Under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) railroad workers who are injured have three years from their diagnosis to bring a lawsuit.
A lawsuit against a railroad can be complicated based on the manner in which you were diagnosed with cancer. In railroad controls limited lawsuit isn't easy to pinpoint the exact moment of exposure to toxic substances since many chemicals have a long-lasting half-life.
The jury will consider several aspects in determining the amount of compensation you could receive for your injury. This includes the loss of income, medical expenses and the suffering and pain you have endured. You may be entitled wrongful-death damages if your loved one is killed as a result.
In a recent case an ex-railroad worker claimed colon cancer developed as a result of the constant exposure to asbestos, diesel exhaust and other toxic chemicals while on the job. He alleged that the railroads had not complied with FELA safety regulations. However, the court decided that the plaintiff was not able to conduct an "reasonably diligent" lookup for information about his disease. The jury determined that he didn't have enough evidence to support his claim.
Damages
People who work on railroads and live near railyards could be exposed to toxic and carcinogenic chemicals like asbestos and diesel exhaust. Our Houston railroad exposure attorney could assist you in obtaining compensation should you have developed illnesses due to this exposure. In addition to covering past and future medical expenses, you may be eligible for compensation for lost income and expenses for caring. You may also seek damages for emotional distress as well as pain and suffering and the loss of enjoyment your life.
Our firm recently secured a defense verdict on behalf of a Class 1 railroad client in an Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) case. The plaintiff claimed that he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma and kidney cancer as a result of his occupational exposure to creosote diesel exhaust, and other toxic substances while working on the railroad as an engineer for locomotives. The jury returned a verdict in defense after deliberating for less than one hour.
In a different FELA case Our lawyers were able to obtain a summary judgment for the railroad defendant in a lawsuit brought by a former freight train conductor. The suit claimed that he was suffering from lung cancer due to his work on railroads and was caused by asbestos and other toxic chemicals. We argued that the claim was void due to an earlier release agreement that was signed in connection with his settlement of an earlier asbestos case.