Railroad Lawsuits For Asthma and SilicosisRailroad workers often face dangerous exposures on the job. These exposures can result in serious diseases, such as cancer or silicosis. Many of these diseases take years to develop.Pneumoconiosis, also known as black lung disease, has affected thousands of coal miners. Some of these miners are fighting to receive benefits.AsthmaDiesel fumes are a typical exposure for railroad workers, and they can lead to serious health problems. Poor ventilation, the collection of soot in cabs for trains and work performed alongside operating locomotives can all increase a worker's risk of developing asthma or other respiratory disorders. Even mild asthma can impact the ability of railroad workers to complete certain tasks. A severe asthma attack can render a once reliable railroad worker unable to work at all. A New York railroad lawyer can help railway workers with these conditions in pursuing financial recovery.FELA claims allow plaintiffs to pursue compensation for any negative impacts their asthma has had on their life including the expense of medication, lost wages and other economic losses. However to be successful, a FELA claim is based on the fact that a person has proved that their injuries were caused by exposure to work.mesothelioma lawsuit  of the area around the railyard of CSX located in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania filed a FELA lawsuit alleging that a large amount of coal dust erupts out of the facility and covers cars and homes. According to the lawsuit the dust irritates residents' lungs and eyes. The lawsuit also states that CSX releases and burns cancer-causing vinyl chloride which can pollute the local water supply.CancerCancer can be caused by a variety of causes such as genetics and lifestyle choices. However, it could be caused by exposure to certain toxic chemicals. For instance, a regular exposure to vinyl chloride, a substance that the Environmental Protection Agency classifies as a carcinogen, can increase the chance of developing liver cancer or any other organ damage. Workers in factories producing vinyl products as well as other chemicals could be exposed to harmful substances that are released into the air due to manufacturing or transportation.Another cancer-causing chemical is asbestos which is found in insulation used on rail cars and in many other products. Asbestos may cause mesothelioma. the lung cancer that typically is fatal. Patients who develop mesothelioma as a result exposure to asbestos should consult an expert railroad attorney.A court has ruled that a retired railroad worker who is disabled because of lung diseases such as black lung could be entitled to disability benefits. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the conclusions of an administrative law judge as well as the Benefits Review Board that Olen Roberson was entitled to benefits that are usually paid to coal miners who suffer from the same illness. Roberson's work required him to couple and uncouple high pressure air hoses that were connected to coal vehicles, a procedure that blew coal dust into the air.InjuriesThe railroad industry is a risky one. It is prone to unexpected injuries or a cumulative damage. Railroad employees, unlike many workers, are covered under FELA, the Federal Employers Liability act, passed in 1908. This enables employees to sue for compensation should they have an accident on the job.Rail lines that traverse roads must be maintained in a good condition. Railroads also must warn drivers and pedestrians of the presence of their railroad cars and tracks, and must maintain the highest standards of safety for the people who cross or enter their railroad property.Train yards, coal mines and other industrial locations can generate toxic fumes and dust that can cause irritation or permanent damage to the lungs, nose or ear, as well as the throat of workers. These dangerous conditions can be caused either through poorly maintained equipment or by the burning of coal silica, silica in locomotive sandhoppers and asbestos, in older trains.Cancer can be caused through exposure to carcinogens such as benzene and chemical solvents. Certain railroad workers have developed occupational cancers that can be difficult to treat and diagnose. Railroad workers who suffer from a disease or illness that is a result of their work should consult a knowledgeable railroad injury lawyer for advice about their legal options.Claims involving FELARailroad workers are skilled and are assigned specific jobs which can cause devastating injuries. Injury caused by negligence can hinder a worker's return to work, and can result in huge medical bills. In these situations, railroad workers who are injured have a right to be compensated under the Federal Employees' Liability Act (FELA).The time limit for FELA is three years from the date of the injury or death. However, it takes time to analyze and identify an injury. If an employee fails to legally take action within the time frame of three years, the court is likely to dismiss the case.In the case of a FELA suit, the process of proving negligence on behalf of the railroad is less complicated than the traditional personal injury lawsuit. The worker only needs to prove that the railroad's negligent actions caused the injury. But, railroad companies often argue that they are not accountable for the injuries by claiming comparative negligence.The most effective way to protect a railroad worker's FELA claim is to talk with an experienced Chicago railroad injury lawyer. A lawyer with experience will begin investigating the situation immediately. This typically involves taking photographs of the scene of the accident and interviewing witnesses. It may also involve inspecting the tools used in the accident. As time goes by, the process of establishing the facts of a FELA case is more difficult since witnesses might forget or evidence might disappear.