Keywords: Mecca | Lawyer | Injury | California | Train | Lawsuit | Derailment  | Attorney

Unfortunately, train derailments and train accidents are becoming more common occurrences.  It is estimated that there are around 3,000 train accidents, including derailments and collisions, in the US each year, with some type of train accident occurring every hour and a half.  Almost every two weeks, a train derailment -- such as the Mecca, California train derailment -- causes a spill of hazardous chemicals.  Our train derailment lawyers have a vast amount of experience with these types of cases, and will fight hard to make sure those affected by such accidents are fully compensated for injuries, evacuation expenses and any other damages caused by incidents like the Mecca, California train derailment.

The Mecca, California train derailment occurred when a 65-car Union Pacific train went off the tracks shortly before 9:00 p.m.  Mecca, California is located in the southern California desert about 140 southeast of Los Angeles.  The Mecca, California train derailment occurred adjacent to Highway 11, a stretch of which was closed as a result.  No cause for the Mecca, California train derailment has yet been determined, but once the responsible parties are fully known, the train derailment attorneys at our firm will see to it that they are held liable for any damage caused by the Mecca, California train derailment.

Financial Consequences of the Mecca, California Train Derailment

The Union Pacific freight train was traveling from Colton to El Centro, California when 29 cars went off the track.  Fifty-three of the Union Pacific train's cars were full, and some were carrying hazardous chemicals.  Investigators from the fire department, Riverside County Hazardous Materials Team, county environmental health officials and Union Pacific were all called to the scene.  The derailment damaged about 2,000 feet of track, and a stretch of Highway 11 had to be closed. The Mecca, California train derailment most likely caused expensive disruptions for many businesses near the accident.  Our train derailment lawyers are available to help businesses hurt by the Mecca, California train derailment recover from their losses.

Because of potentially toxic gases released by the Mecca, California train derailment, at least 60 people living within one mile of the accident had to be evacuated.  It was unknown when the Mecca, California train derailment evacuees would be allowed to return to their homes.  Those evacuees will most likely incur significant expenses as a result of the Mecca, California train derailment, and our train derailment lawyers can make sure that they receive just compensation from the responsible parties for these costs.

The Mecca, California train derailment caused some wooden railroad ties to catch fire, and some cars that were carrying phosphoric and hydrochloric acid began to leak.  As a result of these chemical leaks, a potentially toxic cloud of chemicals was sent over the town of Mecca.  It is not yet known what health consequences this toxic cloud might pose to the residents of Mecca, but our train derailment lawyers are ready to help anyone who suffers health problems as a result of this toxic spill.

One of the cars involved in the Mecca, California train derailment was known to leak phosphoric acid.  Phosphoric acid is used for rust removal and to prepare steel surfaces for painting.  Fumes from the phosphoric acid leak were released into the air over Mecca, and these fumes were among the reasons cited for the evacuation of people living near the train derailment.

While phosphoric acid is mild, inhalation of  phosphoric acid can cause irritation to the nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract. Severe exposures can lead to a chemical pneumonitis. Skin contact with phosphoric acid can cause redness, pain, and severe skin burns, while contact to the eyes can cause redness, pain, blurred vision, eye burns, and permanent eye damage.  Exposure to phosphoric acid can aggravate pre-existing skin, eye and respiratory problems.  Many of those in close proximity to the Mecca, California train derailment could experience some of these health problems.  Our train derailment lawyers are here to help anyone who experiences side effects from phosphoric acid exposure obtain compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.

 Another of the cars involved in the Mecca, California train derailment may have leaked hydrochloric acid, a significantly more dangerous chemical.  Hydrochloric acid is used in leather processing,  the production of PVC and plastics, and it has many other industrial applications.

Hydrochloric acid is a highly corrosive and toxic liquid that can become a mist if it comes in contact with water.  Inhaling hydrochloric acid vapors can cause coughing, choking, inflammation of the nose, throat, and upper respiratory tract, and in severe cases, pulmonary edema, circulatory failure, and death.  The vapors from hydrochloric acid can irritate and damage the eyes, and direct contact with the toxin can cause redness, pain, and severe skin burns.  Our train derailment lawyers have a great deal of experience litigating cases that involved hydrochloric acid spills, and we can help anyone hurt by this chemical during the Mecca, California train derailment receive compensation for their injuries.

Legal Help for Victims of the Mecca, California Train Derailment

Evacuations from train derailments disrupt lives and businesses, and evacuees are often left with considerable expenses.  The toxic fumes that were released as a result of the Mecca, California train derailment might also lead to long-term health problems for people living in the area, and they could also cause lasting damage to the air, soil and water quality in Mecca, California.  The train derailment lawyers at our firm have helped hundreds of people receive compensation for the financial damages and health problems caused by train derailments and resulting evacuations and toxic spills.

If you or a loved one suffered injuries or financial damage as a result of the March 2008 Mecca, California train derailment, you have valuable legal rights.  Please fill out our online form or call us at 1-800 LAW INFO (1-800-529-4636) to discuss your case with an experienced train derailment lawyer.