This is a list of our firm's case results in Virginia (VA) and beyond. We can't guarantee you'll receive the same results, but we can guarantee we'll work tirelessly on your behalf and try to obtain the jury verdict or settlement you deserve.

Virginia (VA) Railroad Accident/FELA Lawyers
Offices in VA Beach, Hampton & Elizabeth City, NC  

DISCLAIMER: Please note that every case is different and these verdicts and settlements, while accurate, do not represent what we may obtain for you in your case.

Railroad Conductor/Diesel Fume Asthma/Lung Disease

Case results:

Spring 2009

Railroad Conductor/Diesel Fume Asthma/Lung Disease

Diesel Fume Lung Disease Settlement

 

Law firm staff:

Richard N. Shapiro, attorney

Donald Case, investigator

Randy Appleton, attorney

Roslyn Hughes, paralegal

Meg Cudden, legal assistant

 

What Happened:

 

A railroad conductor worked for a major railroad for over 30 years and claimed to have suffered lung disease including diesel fume asthma as a result of prolonged exposure to diesel fumes, mainly while riding in railroad locomotive engines that allow diesel fumes to get into the engine cab area. Specifically, many railroad switching engines, especially those used commonly prior to 1990, positioned exhaust stacks of the locomotive engines in a position where the diesel fumes would trail right into the engine cab's because the engines did not have any air conditioning, were hot, and common use required that the windows and/or doors be opened. The positioning of the exhaust stack of old switcher engines manufactured by General Motors, Electro-motive division, or General Electric, simply allowed diesel fume exhaust to stream into the locomotive engine cabs.

 

Key Law Firm Strategy:

 

Our law firm has developed a major body of medical and scientific evidence that diesel fumes, if inhaled over prolonged periods of time, lead to a variety of health conditions including diesel fume asthma, airways disease, reactive airways disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as well as higher rates of lung and other cancers. We have consulted with top experts around the country, and have researched the medical literature. Notably, a very recent 2009 study by a well-known researcher in the United States, determined increased death rates categorized as chronic destructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because of the long term exposure to diesel fumes. The major study excluded the effect of cigarette smoking and still found higher death rates associated with (C. O. P. D.)  associated with long-term exposure to diesel fumes at railroads. Previous medical studies have shown increased rates of lung cancer associated with long-term exposure to diesel fumes and this author has written on this topic previously. Also, a wide variety of conditions commonly called diesel fume asthma have been associated with prolonged exposure to diesel fumes. Despite a cigarette smoking history, we were able to successfully resolve the case and obtain compensation for our client very close to the date of the jury trial.

The Results:

(Spring 2009) Case settled for confidential substantial sum

 

 

 

    

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia (VA) injury law firm whose attorneys focus exclusively on personal injury and accident law. We have a proven track record in the court room, and you can review our case results to see for yourself. Our attorneys have deep roots in Virginia and handle cases throughout the commonwealth including Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Newport News, Hampton and Suffolk, VA. We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in VA if you've been seriously hurt by another person's carelessness. 

Virginia injury lawyers Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been recognized as among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Shapiro and Lewis have also been selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009. Rick and Jim have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010, making them among the 5 percent of lawyers so honored. In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms. Our Virginia Beach accident injury firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill. 

We alsooffer free special reports and edit the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard blog sites as a public information service.

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential consultations, so call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to the high call volume, please leave a voicemaul and we will get back to you shortly. 

     



Virginia Beach, VA Personal Injury Attorneys
Virginia (VA) Personal Injury Lawyers
Specializing in Virginia Wrongful Death & Injury Law