Cancer Caused by Railroad Jobs - How to Get a Settlement
Thousands of workers in a variety of railroad jobs are exposed carcinogens (cancer-causing substances) throughout their careers. This includes asbestos and coal tar.
These chemicals can trigger blood cancers, such as leukemia myeloma, as well as lymphoma. These cancers can be fatal and affect the bone marrow.
FELA
Over 100 years ago, Congress passed the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) as lawmakers understood that railroad workers face serious risks while working and that when employers fail to protect their employees from harm, workers have the right to receive compensation. FELA is similar to a state-wide workers' compensation law but it offers more extensive remedies that includes damages for pain and suffering as well as loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses, and lost wages.
Many railroad employees, whether currently or previously employed suffering from cancers, such as leukemia or lymphoma or lung diseases like mesothelioma, believe their illness is linked to toxic chemicals in the workplace. These chemicals include benzene that is still used as insulation materials of older locomotives and railroad cars and creosote, a chemical that is used to preserve railroad tie.
These chemicals can be inhaled or inhaled through breathing, or contact with skin and can accumulate in body fat. It can take years or even decades to recognize cancers that are linked to exposure to these chemicals. Because of this delay it is sometimes difficult to link a specific disease or illness to the work that an individual did on the railroad.
Negligence
A century ago, Congress passed the Federal Employers Liability Act to ensure railroad workers could seek compensation for occupational injuries and illnesses. A lot of these illnesses, such as cancer, result from exposure to harmful chemicals and other substances. Depending on the nature of illness, patients may be eligible to claim damages for medical bills for past and future treatment costs, loss of income and diminished earning capacity and other damages.
A blood cancer attorney from a railroad can assist the victim to establish that their cancer was directly caused by toxic substances they were exposed to. To demonstrate this, an attorney must show that railroads were aware of the dangers to worker's safety and failed to warn them or take any other precautions.
Railroad workers are exposed to diesel fumes and welding fumes as well as asbestos, silica sand, and. These substances are known to be carcinogens, and may cause long-term illnesses such as obstructive lung disease (COPD) kidney cancer, bladder cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, and other cancers, including multiple lymphoma, leukemia, and mesothelioma.
Often, railroads will offer to settle a case prior to it goes to trial or even during the course of a trial. This can save the employer time and money, but it is important to carefully review a settlement offer to ensure that it offers adequate compensation for the damages resulting from a health condition. A FELA cancer lawyer can assess an offer and compare it against other court rulings or legal precedents.
Damages
You may be entitled to a settlement if you worked in the railroad industry and were diagnosed with cancer or other debilitating illnesses. Many railroad workers were exposed to carcinogenic chemical substances such as creosote and benzene. These chemicals can be found in diesel exhaust, which conductors, locomotive engineers, and machinists encounter every day. These chemicals are also present in the ties employed by the train track department utilize to connect railroad tracks. These toxic substances are known to cause mesothelioma. This cancer can affect the lungs, and other organs.
Railroad exposure has been linked to a variety of blood cancers, including leukemia and lymphoma. These hematologic cancers start in the bone marrow area where blood is made. aplastic anemia caused by railroad how to get a settlement have been diagnosed with bladder, lung and kidney cancers, too.
Railroad companies often try to settle cancer claims prior to they go to trial. This is beneficial for both sides, but it is essential to analyze any settlement offer with an experienced railroad cancer attorney. They can review the situation to determine if the settlement is fair and will offer sufficient compensation for the victim's future needs. They can also evaluate it to previous precedents in law to determine whether the offer is worth accepting. This can help prevent the victim from agreeing to an agreement that does not adequately address his or her financial, medical or other needs.
Settlements
The Federal Employers Liability (FELA) Act grants railroad employees the legal right to sue their employers if they suffer a disease that is caused by workplace exposures. This includes asbestos-related cancers, chemical solvents, benzene and other carcinogens that are prevalent in the railroad industry. Also, workers develop long term health problems as a result of exposure to diesel exhaust, welding fumes, silica sand and other harmful substances.
Settlements are negotiated between the railroad and injured worker. If you decide to accept a settlement, you should consult a lawyer in order that you receive a sum that is fair, and also meets your future requirements. An attorney who is familiar with FELA cases can analyze any settlement offer to determine how it stacks up against legal precedents and other factors that could affect its value.
A benzene lawyer can help you file a claim for injury to receive compensation for the injuries you sustained. The symptoms of exposure to benzene include blood cancer or nervous system diseases anemia, excessive bleeding and other disorders. A lawyer who specializes in benzene will review your medical records to determine if you're eligible to file a claim. In the meantime when you're in financial trouble while waiting to receive a settlement in your case You could be eligible for pre-settlement funding from USClaims.