For decades, asbestos was a primary material used in the railroad industry to fireproof individual compartments in train cars, as well as storage and office buildings in railyards. Unfortunately, this material is highly carcinogenic, and despite that fact being widely known since the 1970s, many railroad companies allowed their workers to be exposed to asbestos for years. Likewise, some companies have yet to remove it from all their trains and buildings.
If you are a former or current railroad employee with asbestosis, lung cancer, or any other disease correlated with long-term asbestos exposure, consider speaking with a skilled railroad injury attorney to obtain compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act. The effects of asbestos-related illnesses can be life-altering and fatal, but a dedicated railroad asbestos lawyer in Houston can help you demand the compensation you deserve.
What Makes Asbestos So Dangerous?
When it is used as insulation or added to other materials to make them more fire-retardant, asbestos sheds microscopic dust and fibers that can be inhaled by anyone living, working, or walking nearby. Over time, continuous inhalation of asbestos particles can cause inflammation of the lungs, scarring, and eventually a host of serious illnesses, including:
Anyone diagnosed with these conditions who used to work on locomotives or in a railyard in Houston should contact a tenacious attorney to discuss filing a railroad cancer claim.
How to Prove an Employer at Fault for Asbestos Exposure
Rather than traditional workers’ compensation claims, railroad companies are subject to a piece of federal legislation called the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). Under FELA, railroad workers can hold their employers liable for all economic and non-economic damages they suffer due to a work-related illness or injury. However, these employees must establish that their employer’s negligence contributed to their harm.
Regarding railroad injury claims involving asbestos exposure, plaintiffs and their legal representatives must prove that a railroad company did not take sufficient steps to protect their workers from the dangers of asbestos while on the job, despite knowing how to mitigate those hazards. For example, if an employer knew that their employees were working inside trains or buildings with asbestos insulation, they should have provided personal protective equipment that could help reduce the risk of inhaling asbestos fibers, as well as taken reasonable measures to remove the substance from their property. A dedicated lawyer in Houston can gather evidence to demonstrate that an employer failed to adequately protect their employees from asbestos-related injuries and demand proper compensation on their behalf.
Talk to a Railroad Asbestos Attorney in Houston About Recovery Options
Thousands of former railroad workers are suffering from catastrophic illnesses caused by long-term asbestos exposure at work. If you are one of them, taking prompt legal action could be crucial to maximizing your quality of life and protecting your and your family’s interests.
A conversation with a seasoned railroad asbestos lawyer in Houston will give you the clarity and information you need to enforce your rights. Call Roberts Markland LLP today to schedule a meeting.
