Railroad Lymphoma Cancer Attorneys
While the dangers associated with some of the substances used in the railroad industry have been known for some time, we are still discovering the risks of other substances, such as the weed killers used by workers to maintain railroad right of way spaces. Chemical exposure at work can lead to both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma among railroad workers.
A railroad injury lawyer can offer advice and guidance to you and your family if you were diagnosed with lymphoma after working around trains or railroad tracks. Having an attorney who specializes in railroad lymphoma cases could evaluate your case and help you obtain the full amount of compensation to which you may be entitled.
How Can Railroad Employees Develop Lymphoma?
An immune system cancer, lymphoma is a condition in which lymphocyte cells mutate and grow uncontrollably in the body. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the most common type.
The risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma is increased when people are exposed to benzene and glyphosate. Benzene is a component of diesel exhaust, so any worker with exposure to diesel exhaust, such as those who operate locomotives or work in railroad shops, is at risk of developing lymphoma.
A railroad lymphoma cancer attorney may be able to get compensation for cancer even if the railroad worker smoked cigarettes or had other factors that contributed to lymphoma.
Studies have found that exposure to the weed killer glyphosate may increase the risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This chemical has been used by maintenance of way workers to control growth around railroad tracks for many years, resulting in significant exposure to this carcinogenic substance. Despite the fact that railroads were capable of taking precautions to limit this exposure in their workers, they did not do so in most cases. A railroad lymphoma attorney can assist an injured worker in gathering evidence to establish that cancer was caused by exposure to these or other hazardous substances while on the job.
Seeking Compensation For Damages?
The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) provides railroad workers in any state with the right to claim compensation for injuries sustained while on the job. This claims process differs from that of workers’ compensation. FELA claims may have the potential to provide injured employees with substantial compensation compared to workers’ compensation claims. An injured employee must only demonstrate that their injury occurred while at work in order to obtain workers’ compensation. Contrary to this, an employee who files a FELA claim must demonstrate that their employer was negligent and that the negligence led to the injury or illness involved.
Workers suffering from lymphoma may be able to obtain fair compensation with the assistance of a railroad lymphoma attorney. A claim must be prepared and filed within three years of the date on which the cause of action accrued, according to 45 U.S.C. 56. Thus, employees in the railroad industry who develop lymphoma as a result of their employment conditions are limited in the amount of time in which they can file a claim for benefits under the FELA. In order to file suit, a worker must have been diagnosed with cancer within three years of the time he or she filed the suit and know or should have known of the cancer’s relationship to the railroad work. In order to determine when the three-year period begins, an experienced railroad cancer injury lawyer must be consulted.
Get Help From An Experienced Railroad Lymphoma Cancer Attorney
When a patient is diagnosed with lymphoma, the prognosis will vary greatly according to the rate of progress of the cancer and the length of time that has elapsed since the diagnosis was made. Many times, treatment results in remission, but not full recovery.
An attorney who specializes in railroad injury claims can help you obtain compensation for medical bills, future needs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. Although money cannot restore lost health, it can provide for your family’s future needs. A railroad employer who is negligent in exposing you to dangerous chemicals on the job should be held accountable. For more information about railroad lymphoma lawsuits and your legal options, give us a call today.
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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.