Railroad Throat Cancer Attorney
Railroad workers may suffer from various severe illnesses after prolonged exposure to toxic chemical substances, including throat cancer. Those railroad workers who develop throat cancer or other diseases as a result of chemical exposure at their workplace may be able to seek damages from their employers. It may be possible for a railroad throat cancer attorney to assess your case and determine whether you are eligible for compensation.
Railroad workers are exposed to a number of chemical substances that are known as carcinogens or cancer-causing agents. A significant amount of exposure over a short period or a low level over a long period of time can both lead to cancer and other non-cancerous diseases such as asbestosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A railroad injury lawyer may be able to collect evidence to support your claim and assist you in building a strong complaint.
Cancer and Chemical Exposure in Railroad Workers
During the course of their daily work, railroad workers are exposed to a variety of carcinogens. Continuous exposure to these chemicals is a known risk factor for developing different forms of cancer, including lung, throat, and head and neck cancers. Commonly encountered substances include:
- Insulation and electrical panels contain asbestos
- Dust from silica sand on railroad tracks and granite ballast, or the gravel around railroad tracks. Locomotive and equipment diesel exhaust Creosote that coats railroad ties.
Additionally, other chemicals commonly found in railroad yards include solvents used for cleaning equipment, lead paint on buildings and equipment, fumes from welding, and herbicides such as Roundup or other weed killers. As railroad workers work with various equipment and materials that contain these chemicals, they are exposed to the possibility of inhaling these toxins and absorbing them through their skin.
As a result of these substances, there is an increased risk of developing various cancers, including throat, lung, bladder, colon, and kidney cancers, among others. Mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma are also more common among railroad workers. Railroad workers may be able to receive compensation if they develop cancer after exposure to chemicals.
Federal Employers’ Liability Act and Railroad Worker Claims
Railroad workers who are injured on the job have a cause of action under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act. Under FELA, injured workers must show that their employers were negligent or acted unreasonable under the circumstances. Also, injured workers must prove that their work-related illness or injury was caused by their employer’s negligence.
In the case of injury victims who can prove that they are entitled to compensation under FELA, they may be entitled to higher compensation than workers’ compensation claims. They may be entitled to compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and decrease in earning ability
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
Those railroad workers who develop throat cancer or other injuries while at work may also be entitled to receive compensation for a permanent partial or total disability. In the event that the cancer or other medical condition proves to be fatal, the surviving family members of deceased railroad workers may also be entitled to compensation under FELA. FELA does not have caps or limitations on damages, unlike some other benefits, according to a knowledgeable laryngeal cancer lawyer.
Get Help From a Railroad Throat Cancer Attorney
Railroad workers must file their FELA claims within three years of the date of the accident or occurrence that resulted in their injury or illness, with some exceptions. Chemically exposed railroad workers should not hesitate to seek legal advice as soon as possible if they are diagnosed with throat cancer. These railroad workers may be able to obtain compensation they deserve by working with a railroad throat cancer attorney.
Claims under the FELA can be extensive, complicated, and time-consuming. In this regard, legal representation may be the most efficient and effective way to make the process as efficient as possible. By having a qualified Railroad Throat Cancer Attorney on your team, you may be in a better position to succeed in your case. Call today to get started.
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How Are Railroad Employees Exposed To Lead?
Various aspects of railroad work can expose railroad workers to lead. For example, lead paint, which is now outlawed, is still present on many railroad bridges, structures, and other equipment. When welding metal locomotive or train car parts, welders may also encounter poisonous lead.
Disturbing or removing lead paint can cause lead particles to become airborne and rub off on workers’ hands. As a result, workers can breathe in and ingest lead, as well as transfer lead dust from their hands to their mouths through smoke, eating, and drinking. Lead particles that are small are easier for workers to absorb into their lungs and bloodstream.
Train workers can bring lead dust home on their hands, equipment, and clothes, which puts their families at risk. Workers who don’t shower and remove all clothing and tools before going home put children and pregnant women at risk. So, it’s imperative that you take necessary precautions to keep others from getting lead poisoning.
How Does Lead Exposure Affect Our Health?
Short-term exposure to railroad lead can lead to flu-like symptoms, including stomach cramps, fatigue, headaches, and muscle or joint pain. By identifying and eliminating lead exposure, workers may be able to reverse these effects.
Constant exposure can lead to nerve damage, brain damage, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and even congenital disabilities and reproductive problems.
Workers who suffer from prolonged lead exposure may be entitled to compensation from their employers. Depending on the situation, injured workers may have a valid claim if their employers exposed them to lead unnecessarily. Injury victims can seek damages from their employers with the help of a railroad lead poisoning attorney.
Railroad workers’ FELA and negligence claims
For railroad workers, the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) is the exclusive remedy for on-the-job injuries and illnesses. State workers’ compensation benefits are not available to them; instead, they must file FELA claims. Injury victims must prove negligent conduct on the part of their employers to claim benefits, unlike with the no-fault worker’s compensation system.
The employers of railroad workers could be held responsible for exposing them to lead in a number of ways using various methods. Here are some examples:
- Failure to provide workers with adequate safety gear to prevent exposure
- Exposing workers without adequate ventilation to lead point in confined spaces
- Not establishing and implementing safety protocols to minimize lead exposure
In the event of a finding of negligence, workers may be entitled to compensation for their injuries or illnesses. Whether or not they are able to work, the damages may provide them with much-needed medical care and income.
Contact a Railroad Lead Exposure Attorney Today
The best course of action if you believe you were exposed to lead while working for a railroad is to seek medical attention for a physical examination and blood tests. A railroad lead exposure lawyer may be able to evaluate your claim once your doctor confirms the presence of lead. To make the process go more smoothly, prompt action can be taken to get a medical diagnosis and initiate a claim for damages under FELA.
An injury or illness caused by work is devastating. Defending your rights to benefits may enable you to improve the financial position of your family. To learn more about your legal rights and options, please contact us now.
If you or a member of your family has been injured or diagnosed with a railroad related disease, Please contact one of the members of our team if you have any questions. Call (855) 205-9689 or fill out or short contact form.