Colon Cancer Caused by Railroad Work
Exposure to harmful chemicals is a daily occurrence for railroad workers. It has been proven that this can cause cancer as well as other serious health issues.
For instance, asbestos and diesel exhaust have been associated with colon cancer. It has also been established that exposure to certain solvents, metal-working fluids, and pesticides may increase the risk of colon cancer.
Exposures
Railroad workers are exposed to dangerous substances on a regular basis. Many of these carcinogens can be linked to cancer or other chronic health conditions. Federal Employers Liability (FELA) offers compensation to railroad employees suffering from cancer or chronic illnesses.
A widow of a retired railroad employee said that her husband had died from stomach cancer caused by asbestos resulting from his work with 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.
It is a poisonous chemical that can be present in many products used by railroads, such as the fuel as well as various solvents. Studies have linked benzene with various cancers, including colon cancer. A skilled railroad cancer lawyer could determine if your illness was caused by on-the-job exposure to hazardous chemicals, and file a claim on your behalf. Federal law restricts the time to file an injury claim. It is therefore crucial to seek out an attorney as soon as you can.
Diagnosis
Railroad workers are exposed to many toxic chemicals and fumes on the job. Asbestos, welding fumes, diesel exhaust, and weed killers like Imazethapyr or dicamba, could cause colon cancer. Railroad workers who are diagnosed with an illness related to their work could be entitled to compensation through a lawsuit under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
A knowledgeable attorney who has experience in railroad accidents can assist you in pursuing this claim. FELA which was passed in 1908 required railroads to pay for injuries sustained while on the job. This includes injuries such as a cancer diagnosis, and can result in substantial compensation.
At the end of 2016 a widow in Illinois filed an action against CSX Transportation Inc. claiming that the company failed to implement adequate safety measures to prevent her late husband's death from stomach cancer which metastasized to colon cancer. Ruth Frieson claims that her husband died of cancer after being exposed to asbestos and toxins at work. The jury heard evidence from two doctors from rehabilitative medicine, industrial hygienists and the wife of the plaintiff, as well as his medical oncologist. They all claimed that diesel exhaust, asbestos and a lifetime smoking contributed to the cancer. However, the jury delivered a verdict in favor of the railroad defendant after just a little over three hours of deliberation.
Treatment
It is crucial to seek legal representation whenever possible if you have been diagnosed with colon cancer because of your railroad work. Under the Federal Employers Liability Act, railroad workers who are injured may sue within three years of their diagnosis.
Depending on how the cancer was diagnosed, there may be a number of complexities when filing a lawsuit against railroads. In some cases it is difficult to pinpoint the exact time of exposure to toxic substances because many chemicals have a long-lasting half-life.
The jury will look at a variety of aspects when determining how much compensation you can receive for your injuries. This includes the loss of income, medical expenses, and the pain and suffering you've endured. You may be entitled wrongful-death damages if your loved ones die as a result.
In a recent incident, an ex-railroad employee claimed that colon cancer was the result of his constant exposure to diesel exhaust, asbestos and other toxic chemicals while on the job. He alleged that the railroads failed to comply with FELA safety regulations. The court, however, that the plaintiff was not able to conduct a "reasonably thorough" lookup for information about his condition. The jury decided that he didn't have enough evidence to back his claim.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma lawsuit and residents near railyards are exposed to numerous toxic and carcinogenic chemicals, such as asbestos and diesel exhaust. Our Houston railroad exposure lawyer could assist you in obtaining compensation if you have developed illnesses linked to this exposure. You may also be entitled to compensation for the loss of wages and costs for caregivers. You may also be entitled to damages for emotional distress, pain and suffering, as well as loss of enjoyment your life.
Our firm won a defense verdict in a Federal Employers' Liability Act case on behalf of an railroad client. The plaintiff alleged that he contracted Hodgkin's and kidney cancer as a result of occupational exposure to creosote diesel exhaust and other toxic substances when working on the railroad as an engineer for locomotives. The jury returned a defense verdict after having a deliberative period of less than an hour.
In a different FELA lawsuit, our lawyers obtained the summary judgment in favor of the railroad in question. The case was brought by an ex-train conductor. The lawsuit claimed that he developed lung cancer as a result of his railroad job and was triggered by exposure to asbestos and other toxic substances. We claimed that the claim was barred due to a prior release agreement executed in connection with his settlement of an asbestos-related case earlier.