Railroad Lung Cancer Attorney
Occupational exposure to toxic chemicals, such as asbestos, sand dust (silica), coal dust, diesel exhaust, welding fumes, solvents, and other materials, has been associated with lung cancer and other types of cancer. Workers who are exposed to such substances frequently during the course of employment are at an increased risk for developing such cancers. In many cases, this is due to negligence on the part of their employers.
The effects of such cancers can be devastating on workers and their families, as they can cause physical, psychological, and financial devastation. Such cases may be eligible for compensation for their losses and damages. Those injured by lung cancer can file and pursue legal action through the judicial system for financial compensation. We have represented railroad workers and other injury victims for more than two decades in negligence cases of all kinds. We recommend that you contact a railroad cancer lawyer as soon as possible if you or someone you love has been diagnosed with lung cancer or another form of cancer due to workplace negligence.
Railroad Dangers
Train and heavy equipment operators are regularly exposed to diesel exhaust and diesel fumes. It turns out that long-term exposure to these fumes — and the benzene compounds contained in many industrial degreasing products — increases your risk of serious lung cancer.
Exposure to asbestos is also a major cause of lung diseases. Asbestos is not commonly used in manufacturing today, but its effects from the past are still felt. As a result of exposure decades ago, railway workers are now developing lung cancer and lung disease. Therefore, railroad workers that have spent a lot of time around rail-yards are prone to mesothelioma and other types of lung cancer.
The risk of developing lung cancer is highest for workers who spend a lot of time around engines. However, other railroad workers can also develop these diseases. Depending on their employment history and circumstances, railroad lung cancer lawyers may help individual workers determine whether they have a case to file.
FELA Claims and Railroad Cancer Compensation
The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) covers railroad workers who are injured on the job or develop work-related medical conditions instead of workers’ compensation insurance. In 1908, this Act allowed injured or sick railroad workers to file claims against their employers, specific employees, or third-party manufacturers liable for damages.
Employers are not automatically liable for employee injuries under FELA, unlike workers’ compensation insurance. An individual filing a FELA claim must demonstrate that the defendant in the claim was negligent in a way that caused or contributed to the conditions related to their injury-or, in this case, contributed to the worker’s lung cancer.
The good news is that railroad workers can recover both economic and noneconomic losses when they file successful FELA claims. During an initial consultation, a railroad lung cancer lawyer can explain the filing options available to railroad workers.
Consult a railroad lung cancer attorney to learn how they can help
A lung cancer lawyer can assist you if you have developed the disease after working on the railroad. This may entitle you to compensation. Contact a railroad lung cancer lawyer today.
Get The Answers You Deserve!
Complete the short form below and receive a free case evaluation
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.