Railroad Cancer Attorney
Railroads have provided a steady income for men and women in the United States for over a hundred years. Railroad jobs, however, are often dangerous.
Many railroad employees, such as brakemen, conductors, engineers, carmen, track workers, or even repair shop workers, have been exposed to hazardous chemicals, some of them known carcinogens.
You may be entitled to compensation if your medical condition worsened after working on a railroad. Speak with a railroad cancer lawyer to learn more. You could hold negligent railroad owners responsible for their negligent actions by retaining the services of a railroad injury lawyer.
Substances and chemicals that can cause cancer
Many railroad workers are exposed to harsh chemicals and substances while performing their duties. The railroad industry is confronted with many hazardous substances, however. Among them are:
- Diesel Fumes
- Silica Dust
- Solvents
- Welding Fumes
- Chemical Weed Sprays
- Creosote
Which substance is most prevalent on the railroad?
Asbestos is the most common of these substances. An insulator and fire retardant, it is a naturally occurring fibrous material. These fibers tend to fray when disturbed and can lodge themselves into the lungs of anyone unfortunate enough to breathe them in. The result can be breathing difficulties and lung cancer.
How Does Rock Dust Cause Health Problems?
The amount of rock dust that permeates the air is another common hazard on the railroad. As part of the process of laying track, rocks are often pounded to create a solid base. Thousands of particles can be released into the air, lodged in the lung’s cells.
Getting Compensation After a Malignancy Diagnosis
In most cases, if a diagnosis is the result of one’s job, workers’ compensation applies. Medical expenses and some income reimbursement are paid in exchange for the employee’s not being able to sue their employer. Rail workers are not eligible for workers’ compensation for injuries.
In order to seek compensation, ill employees must file lawsuits against their employers under the Federal Employers Liability Act.
In addition, it states that the employee’s attorney must be able to prove that a railroad’s negligence caused the employee’s diagnosis. An attorney must prove that a railroad failed to keep a safe workplace. Here are some examples of such failures:
- Inadequately removing hazardous materials
- Lack of proper safety equipment
- Exposed workers to harsh chemicals with knowledge
- Safety orientations are not provided
Dedicated railroad cancer attorneys can assist individuals in seeking compensation from negligent railroad employers in United States District Courts when they have been diagnosed with cancer.
Contact a Railroad Cancer Attorney today
An individual and his or her family can suffer a great deal after receiving a cancer diagnosis. A large number of former and current railroad workers have cancer as a result of their work. OSHA recognizes the risks involved with these professions, which expose them to many known carcinogens.
You can focus on your health while your railroad cancer lawyer takes care of your case. It may be possible for them to gather evidence linking your condition to your employment and to investigate the railroad’s activities to find out how their negligence contributed to your diagnosis. Contact us today to learn how you may be eligible for compensation.
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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.