Multiple myeloma settlements transport 30 million people and transport 1.6 billion tons of freight each year. These employees are often exposed to harmful chemicals that can cause serious illnesses and even death.
A railyard lawyer can assist injured workers in claiming compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act. FELA allows railroad workers, present and former, to sue their employers in the event that they were negligent in causing cancer or other diseases.
FELA
The Federal Employers Liability Act is a statute which allows railroad workers to sue their employers if they are injured at work. Unlike workers' compensation, which is no fault-based and does not require the employee to prove employer negligence, FELA claims are based on the premise that railroad companies are required to provide their employees with safe working conditions and train their employees to be safe at work.
This includes ensuring proper training in the proper manner, maintaining property, tools and other equipment that is safe. If the railroad does not fulfill the above-mentioned duties, employees could be exposed to dangerous and harmful materials that cause serious injuries or illnesses. Railway workers injured in the line of duty as well as their families could be awarded damages for lost wages, future and past emotional distress, medical expenses and pain and suffering.
Railroad exposure can cause various injuries and illnesses, such as mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as leukemia and multiple myeloma. In addition, many railroad employees have been affected by occupational diseases which can worsen existing conditions like fibromyalgia or spinal injuries.
The railroad industry has exposed many families to hazardous chemicals each day. New York railroad injury attorneys assist injured workers and their loved ones file FELA claim to receive financial compensation for medical expenses and other expenses. This kind of compensation can't repair the damage caused however it can help alleviate concerns for the future and give a measure of justice.
Statute of limitations
Railroad workers suffering with kidney disease, cancer or any other ailment due to years of exposure to toxic fumes or chemicals should consult an experienced railroad attorney immediately. Federal law provides these workers with the right to pursue compensation, even if the disease develops years or decades after they last worked for the railroad.
For instance railroad worker James Brown was awarded $7.5 million in damages as a result of his acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that developed from exposure to chemicals at Chicago & North Western Railway and Union Pacific Railroad Co. for 18 and 13 years, respectively. Brown's job duties included washing rail ties, and putting them in and he had to wear dirty clothing that allowed the chemicals, like creosote, a substance that soaked into the skin of his.
The FELA statutes of limitations in these cases are governed by the discovery rule. This rule states that the clock is set only when a railroad worker has knowledge or should have reasonably realized that their illness is work-related. This is among the reasons why railroad workers should consult an experienced railroad cancer lawyer as soon as possible.
In addition to a possible railroad settlement for leukemia, victims can claim compensation for the past and future lost wages, medical expenses that insurance will not cover as well as pain and suffering and loss of consortium. A mesothelioma lawyer may offer an informal consultation to examine the case.
Pre-existing Conditions
Every year railroads transport 30 million passengers and 1.6 billion tons of freight, including cars, trucks and chemicals grains and other wood products, as well as vehicles, food, metal ore lumber, and other products. However, railroad workers are also exposed to various carcinogens and chemicals that can put them at risk for life-changing diseases such as leukemia.
Rail workers have been exposed over the years to harmful substances like creosote, asbestos, and diesel exhaust. Many have worked in places where diesel-powered locomotives, forklifts and cranes are constantly operating which caused smoke to be released into the work spaces. Workers also dipped cloths in solvents containing benzene to clean parts and tools.
Railroad workers are at a greater risk of developing lung diseases like COPD. railroad back injury settlements can cause heart attacks and strokes, or even cancer. Smoking cigarettes can also cause respiratory ailments and make one more prone to lung cancer.
It's important that you tell your lawyer that you have a condition. Insurance companies will inquire about your medical background. If railroad injury settlement amounts lie or withhold information, this could affect the amount you get as a settlement. If you're honest with your lawyer and your lawyer, you'll be able answer their questions quickly and keep them from uncovering any information that may hurt your case in the future.
Attorney Fees
Railroad workers are exposed to various carcinogens on their job, including benzene creosote and asbestos. If they are diagnosed with cancer or other serious illness, they could bring a lawsuit to recover compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). However the amount of railroad settlement leukemia could vary dependent on a variety of factors including how long the worker was exposed. A FELA cancer lawyer who is qualified can help railroad employees determine their claim value and negotiate with insurance companies to ensure fair compensation.
In one instance, our railroad cancer lawyers successfully defended the railroad client in an FELA suit claiming that exposure of diesel exhaust and toxic chemicals had caused oropharynx cancer for the plaintiff. The judge granted summary judgment, finding that the statute of limitations was in effect prior to the plaintiff's diagnosis, and that his claims were barred by an earlier release agreement.
If you've been diagnosed with a railroad cancer or have any other health issues related to your on-the-job exposure, contact us today to schedule a free legal consultation. We'll examine your medical records and other documents to determine how much the railroad settlement leukemia may be worth. We can also discuss your eligibility to receive other types of compensation, such as future and past loss of wages or medical expenses not covered by health insurance.