#United States #New York #Norfolk Southern #Napoli Shkolnik #Toxic Exposure

Major Victory for Railroad Workers

In a landmark legal achievement, Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, a prominent national law firm, secured an impressive $21.8 million verdict against Norfolk Southern Railway in a toxic exposure case related to the late Randall Redford. This decision was the culmination of a trial in which the jury determined that the railroad company bore 48% of the liability for Redford's illness, associated with his long-term exposure to carcinogenic substances such as diesel exhaust and creosote.

Case Overview

Randall Redford dedicated nearly four decades of his life working as a maintenance of way worker for Norfolk Southern. Over the years, he was continuously exposed to hazardous chemicals essential to his job responsibilities. Sadly, his rewarding career led to dire health consequences. In 2019, he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, which prompted a regimen of chemotherapy and ultimately, a stem cell transplant in 2020. While he experienced a temporary remission, the leukemia returned in 2024, leading to his untimely death shortly afterward.

Jury Findings

During the trial, the jury assessed the evidence and deliberated on the factors contributing to Mr. Redford's illness. They determined that while the plaintiff's long history of smoking (over 40 years at a rate of one to two packs daily) contributed 52% to the overall fault, the railroad's negligent practices in protecting employees from harmful exposures were substantial enough to warrant almost half of the responsibility. In rejecting Norfolk Southern's plea that smoking was the sole cause of Redford's leukemia, the jury underscored the dangers associated with occupational hazards in the railroad industry.

According to Chris Schnieders, one of the attorneys at Napoli Shkolnik, the decisive outcome delivers a compelling message: railroads cannot evade accountability for exposing employees to harmful carcinogens by merely attributing illness to other factors. Schnieders stated, _“While the jury appropriately considered all contributing factors, they recognized that Norfolk Southern's failure to protect Randall Redford from daily toxic exposures played a substantial role in his cancer diagnosis and suffering.”_

The Impact

The funds awarded are designed to compensate the Redford estate for numerous factors, including significant medical expenses incurred, emotional distress experienced from the date of diagnosis leading to his eventual demise, and overall pain and suffering caused by the illness. This substantial ruling not only amplifies the call for greater accountability in the railroad sector but also strengthens the precedent for individuals suffering from occupational hazards to seek justice.

About Napoli Shkolnik PLLC

Napoli Shkolnik PLLC stands at the forefront of civil rights and corporate accountability, with a particular focus on safeguarding the rights of individuals who have suffered from corporate negligence, dangerous products, and harmful exposures. With an extensive history of success in representing railroad workers, the firm continues its mission to champion for those impacted by unsafe workplace environments. Its track record includes recovering billions for workers harmed by occupational diseases, making it a bastion for justice in the legal landscape.

Conclusion

As corporate accountability continues to take center stage, this verdict serves as a poignant reminder of the need for strict regulations against exposure to toxic substances in the workplace. Legal victories such as this empower affected workers and their families, encouraging them to pursue their rightful claims against corporate negligence. The case of Randall Redford may well resonate as a pivotal moment in the fight for workplace safety and health rights in America.