Railroad Worker Sues Norfolk Southern, Claiming Lung Damage from Toxic Welding Fumes

Many railroad workers are injured every year during the course of their work. They can also suffer irreversible health consequences from toxic substances they are exposed to working on the railroad.

The dangerous nature of this work was illustrated in a lawsuit brought by a man against Norfolk Southern Railroad Company, alleging he sustained lung damage after he was exposed to cancer-causing welding fumes, the Madison-St Clair Record reported.

John C. Hopper claims he worked for Norfolk Southern Railway Company from 1979 to 2010. He was employed to repair and weld railroad tracks but claimed he was “exposed to toxic fumes” during the course of his work, according to the complaint filed Dec. 9 in Madison County Circuit Court.

His exposure to the carcinogenic fumes left him suffering from “severe and permanent injuries to his lungs and respiratory system.” He said this illness left him in great pain and mental anguish. He lost earning capacity and earning and incurred medical costs.

In his suit, Hopper blames Norfolk Southern Railway Company for the injuries he suffered, accusing the Norfolk, VA based railroad giant of negligently failing to provide him with a safe place to work, failing to warn him of the dangers of welding fumes, failing to give him proper safety equipment or safe work methods, failed to provide him with suitable tools and failed to give him adequate supervision. He is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Railroad employees who are injured on the job are usually not eligible for workers compensation. They are protected under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). As veteran railroad worker injury lawyers, we have helped many railroad workers who have had their health impacted by dangerous chemicals and fumes. Call Cooper Hurley at 757.455.0077 or see Cooperhurley.com