Texas Railroad Chemical Weed Spray Exposure

Among the various other toxic and potentially deadly chemicals that railroad workers are regularly exposed to, one of the most dangerous is herbicides used to maintain railroad property. The use of industrial-strength herbicides and weedkillers around railroad tracks and buildings may expose workers to numerous dangerous materials. Many of these are linked with the development of various diseases and cancers. If you were exposed to weedkillers on the railroad and have developed a disease as a result, the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) may allow you to seek financial compensation directly from that company for the damages you have sustained. Pursuing a claim for Texas railroad chemical weed spray exposure can be a complex process, so seeking counsel from a railroad injury attorney experienced with handling these cases is often vital to achieving a favorable resolution.

Causes and Effects of Weedkiller Exposure

While industrial weedkillers are certainly effective when it comes to their intended purpose, they also can present significant dangers to humans who inhale chemical fumes or come into contact with treated weeds. Extensive research has shown that exposure to Roundup weed spray in particular—or more specifically, the glyphosate within this herbicide—is correlated with an increased risk of developing diseases and cancers. That includes cancers of the heart, kidneys, and lungs, as well as blood cancers such as Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Even in the short term, ingestion or inhalation of glyphosate can cause be dangerous. Any railroad worker who suffers physical, financial, and/or psychological harm from weed spray chemical exposure in Texas might have grounds for financial compensation from their railroad employer under federal law.

Holding a Railroad Liable for Chemical Exposure

Under the FELA, railroad workers who suffer a work-related injury or illness that stems from their employer’s negligence, even in part, may file suit directly against that employer for all ensuing losses. Notably, there are no limits on recovery through a FELA claim like there are in workers’ compensation claims. Thus, a railroad worker who suffers harm from exposure to weedkilling chemicals in Texas could potentially recover for the full value of all economic and non-economic losses that the exposure results in.

However, it is necessary first to prove a direct link between specific negligent actions (or failure to act) by a railroad company and the illness or injury a worker contracted from chemical exposure. Actionable negligence in this regard could include a failure to provide functional protective equipment like respirators to workers while weedkilling chemicals were being used, inappropriate use of chemicals like Roundup that were known to be dangerous, or failure to warn workers that they might be exposed to such chemicals in a particular area.

Litigation Over Railroad Weed Spray Chemical Exposure in Texas

The use of industrial weed killers in railyards and around train tracks has led to countless railroad workers suffering severe harm over the years. Unfortunately, holding a railroad company liable for the consequences of such harm can be a tricky prospect. That is especially true if several years or decades have passed since the exposure to the weed spray actually occurred.

Assistance from knowledgeable legal counsel can be vital to effectively pursuing financial recovery based on Texas railroad chemical weed spray exposure. Schedule a consultation by calling today.