What Experts From The Field Want You To Be Able To
Colon Cancer Caused by Railroad Work
Railroad workers are exposed to hazardous chemicals on a daily basis. This has been proven to cause many kinds of cancer and other serious ailments.
Asbestos and diesel exhaust for instance have been linked with colon cancer. It has also been established that exposure to certain solvents, metal-working fluids and pesticides can increase the risk of colon cancer.
Exposures
Whether they are unloading or loading chemicals cleaning up spills breathing diesel exhaust or using various solvents railroad workers are exposed hazardous substances while working. A number of these carcinogens have been linked with cancer and other chronic health issues. Federal Employers Liability (FELA) provides compensation to railroad workers suffering from cancer or chronic illnesses.
A widow of a former railroad employee claimed that her husband had died from stomach cancer caused by asbestos due to his work at CSX Transportation Inc.
Another FELA claim involves railroad workers who were exposed to coal dust, creosote and other harmful substances while on the job. These chemicals can cause leukemia, blood cancers, and lung disease.
Benzene is a toxic chemical, is found in many products used by the railroad. This includes fuel and solvents. Studies have linked benzene with a range of cancers, including colon cancer. A skilled railroad cancer lawyer could determine if your illness was the result of exposure to hazardous chemicals, and file a claim for injury on your behalf. Federal law limits the time you have to submit a claim. It is therefore important to talk to an attorney immediately.
Diagnosis
Rail workers are exposed to harmful chemicals and fumes on the job. For example, asbestos fumes and welding fumes diesel exhaust, as well as weed-killers like Imazethapyr or dicamba can all cause colon cancer. Railroad workers who are diagnosed with a disease related to their job may be eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA).
A knowledgeable attorney who has experience in railroad accidents can assist you with this claim. FELA was adopted in 1908 and requires railroads to pay employees for injuries sustained during work. This could include cancer diagnoses and other injuries.
At the end of 2016 a widow in Illinois filed a lawsuit against CSX Transportation Inc. claiming that the company failed to implement adequate safety measures to prevent her husband's death from stomach cancer which has spread to 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 his death. The jury heard the testimony of two doctors in rehabilitative medicine, industrial hygienists and the plaintiff's wife and also his medical oncologist. They all claimed that asbestos, diesel exhaust and a lifetime smoking contributed to the cancer. The jury, however, delivered a verdict in favor of the railroad defendant after just over three hours of deliberation.
Treatment
It is important to seek legal counsel whenever possible in the event that you've been diagnosed with colon carcinoma due to your work at railroad. Under the Federal Employers Liability Act, railroad workers who are injured may pursue a lawsuit within three years of diagnosis.
A lawsuit against a railroad may be complicated depending on how you were diagnosed with cancer. In certain cases it is difficult to pinpoint the exact moment of exposure to toxic substances since many chemicals have a long-lasting half-life.
When determining how much you could be awarded for your injury, the jury will take into account several different factors. These include the loss of income, medical expenses, and the pain and suffering you've endured. If your loved one died due to their injuries, you may also be legally entitled to damages for their death.
In a recent incident, an ex-railroad worker claimed that he developed colon cancer because of the continuous exposure to diesel exhaust, asbestos and other toxic chemicals while on the job. He claimed that railroads didn't comply with FELA safety standards. However, acute myeloid leukemia lawsuit ruled that the plaintiff was not able to conduct an "reasonably diligent" lookup for information about his condition. The jury determined that he did not have enough evidence to support his claim.
Damages
Railroad workers and those who live near railyards are exposed many carcinogenic and toxic chemicals including diesel exhaust and asbestos. If you've suffered from illnesses linked to this exposure, our Houston railroad exposure lawyer can help you receive compensation. You may also be entitled to compensation for the loss of wages and costs for caregivers. Additionally, you can seek damages for suffering and pain and loss of enjoyment life, emotional distress, and many more.
Our firm won an appeal verdict in a Federal Employers' Liability Act case on behalf of a railroad client. The plaintiff alleged that he developed kidney cancer and Hodgkin's lymphoma due to his work-related exposure to creosote diesel exhaust and other toxic substances when working for the railroad as an engineer of locomotives. The jury returned a defense verdict after being deliberating for less that one hour.
In another FELA lawsuit Our lawyers won an order of summary judgment in favor the railroad defendant. The case was filed by an ex-train conductor. The lawsuit claimed that he suffered from lung cancer due to the work he did for railroads, and that it was caused by asbestos and other toxic chemicals. We argued that a prior release agreement signed in connection with the settlement of the asbestos case was insufficient to bar the claim.