Railroad workers were exposed to hazardous chemicals in their work for decades. In recent months, a series of railroad cancer lawsuits has been filed across America.
The latest to hit the headlines was brought by a widow from South Carolina. She is suing CSX Transportation Inc., claiming negligence on behalf of the railroad. The lawsuit says CSX took insufficient safety measures to prevent her late husband’s death.
Rutha Frieson, a special administrator of the estate of Marvin Frieson, filed a complaint at the end of 2016 in St. Clair County Circuit Court in Illinois, reported the Madison St. Clair Record. The lawsuit claims CSX failed to provide a safe place to work for Frieson, a railroad worker who died after developing stomach cancer that metastasized to colon cancer.
The lawsuit claims Frieson was exposed to asbestos-containing materials during his work with CSX. It claims the exposure caused him to develop stomach cancer, ultimately leading to his death in November 2014. Frieson’s widow claims CSX failed to provide a safe working environment for her husband when he was a railroad worker.
She claims she suffered serious losses as a result of her husband’s death. The plaintiff claims CSX Transportation Inc. failed to provide adequate and safe equipment to protect Frieson from inhaling dangerous asbestos fibers. She claims CSX failed to provide warnings and instructions on how to use materials that contained asbestos fibers.
Railroad Cancer Lawsuits Resulted in Major Verdicts
Last June, a railroad cancer lawsuit was filed by Clarence Mayberry. He claims he was exposed to solar radiation and creosote from 1968-2009. He said a lack of protective equipment from Union Pacific caused him to develop basal cell carcinomas on his head and neck.
Last September, a jury in Madison County awarded $7.5 million to James Brown. The railroad worker was diagnosed with cancer after years of exposure to toxic chemicals, creosote, lead and degreasing solvents on the railroad.
Brown was diagnosed with myeloid leukemia in 2008. In December 2010, he filed a lawsuit under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) blaming Union Pacific and Chicago & North Western Railway (CNW), for failing to give him protective equipment.
In 2014, two cases of hazardous exposure to chemicals in New Jersey were settled for $2.05 million.
As a FELA injury lawyer with decades of experience in representing injured railroad workers, I have seen the terrible impacts dangerous chemicals and substances can have on workers.
In many cases, workers were given inadequate protection from deadly substances. Diesel, coal dust, creosote, and asbestos on the railroads can cause cancer and other incurable diseases.
If you believe you have grounds to file a railroad cancer lawsuit, call us today.
What Are the Symptoms of CTE in Athletes?
Some of the possible signs and symptoms of the disease include:
- Suicidal thoughts:
- Alcohol and drug abuse:
- Violent behavior:
- Difficulties in comprehension;
- Impulsive behavior;
- Depression, listlessness and anxiety.
- Short-term memory loss;
- Dementia;
- Problems carrying out basic tasks
- Emotional instability;
- Irritability
- Problems with speech and language;
- Difficulties walking, tremors, and a loss of muscle movement;
- Vision problems
- Issues swallowing (known as dysphagia);
What Research Has Been Carried out on the Link Between Concussions and CTE?
Dr. Ann McKee, a Boston University researcher, examined the brains of more than 200 deceased football players. She found that 110 of the 111 brains of former National Football League professionals were riddled with chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
The research found college and professional football players were more likely to have CTE than high school players.
CTE has been diagnosed in other high-risk groups like abuse victims or people who have unmanaged epilepsy. Former military personnel who suffered injuries from blasts in war zones like Iraq and Afghanistan have been diagnosed with CTE.
According to the Mayo Clinic, people with CTE may exhibit signs of another neurodegenerative disease. These conditions include Lou Gehrig’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s.
Attorney John Cooper of Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers has represented brain injury victims across Virginia. We are concerned about the link between CTE and brain injuries in Virginia athletes. Please contact us if you or a loved one suffered a TBI at (757) 231-6443 to request a free consultation.
