Railroad Settlement Leukemia
Rail workers transport 1.6 billion tonnes of freight and move 30 million people every year. Many times, employees are exposed to hazardous chemicals that can cause serious health problems and life-threatening illnesses such as cancer.
A lawyer at the railyard can assist injured workers to file claims for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act. Multiple myeloma settlements allows current and former railroad workers to pursue their employers' negligence that led to their cancer or another illnesses.
FELA
The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) is a statute that permits railroad workers and their families to file a lawsuit against their employers when they are injured while working. Contrary to workers' compensation, which is not based on fault and does not require the worker to prove employer negligence, FELA claims are based on the notion that railroad companies are required to provide their employees with safe working conditions and to train their employees on how to be safe at work.
This includes ensuring proper training as well as maintenance of property tools and other equipment that is safe. If the railroad fails to follow this duty employees could be exposed to carcinogenic and hazardous substances that can cause serious injuries or illnesses. Railway workers who are injured, as well as their families, may be able to recover damages that include the loss of wages, medical expenses in the future, emotional distress, and pain and suffering.
Railroad exposure can lead to various ailments and injuries, including mesothelioma and lung cancer as well as multiple myeloma and leukemia. Moreover, many railroad workers have been diagnosed with occupational illnesses that can exacerbate existing conditions, such as fibromyalgia, and spinal injuries.
Exposure to hazardous chemicals every day caused by railroads has harmed countless families. New York railroad injury attorneys help injured workers and loved ones file FELA claim to receive financial compensation for their medical expenses and other expenses. This kind of compensation can't repair the damage caused but it can ease concerns about the future and provide a amount of justice.
Statute of Limitations
Railroad employees who have been diagnosed with cancer, kidney disease or other ailments due to exposure to toxic fumes or chemicals should seek the advice of a skilled railroad lawyer immediately. Federal law affords these workers the right to receive compensation, even if they contract the illness in the years or decades following their last railroad employment.
For instance, railroad worker James Brown was awarded $7.5 million in damages for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) which was triggered by exposure to chemicals at Chicago & North Western Railway and Union Pacific Railroad Co. for 18 and 13 years, respectively. Brown's work included washing rail ties, and putting them in, which required him to wear dirty clothes, which allowed the chemicals, including creosote, to penetrate his skin.
The FELA statute of limitations for cases like these is based on the discovery rule, which states that the three year clock does not begin until the railroad worker knows or reasonably should have known that their condition is related to work. This is among the reasons railroad employees should consult an experienced railroad cancer attorney as soon as they can.
In addition to the possibility of a railroad settlement for patients with leukemia, they can also claim compensation for lost wages in the past or future medical expenses that are not covered by insurance as well as pain and suffering and loss of companionship. A knowledgeable mesothelioma lawyer is able to offer a no-cost consultation as well as a review of the case.
Pre-existing Conditions
Rail transports 30 million commuters each year and 1.6 billion tonnes of freight. This includes cars, trucks and other vehicles, along with chemicals, grains, wood products and metal ores, as well as food products and lumber. However railroad workers are exposed to a range of carcinogens and chemicals which can put them at risk for life-changing illnesses like leukemia.
Over the years, railway workers have been exposed to toxic substances such as asbestos creosote (as well as diesel exhaust) and benzene. Many rail workers have worked in factories which were suffused with exhaust fumes from diesel locomotives. Workers also used soaked rags with cleaners containing benzene for cleaning parts and tools.
These exposures put railroad workers at risk of developing lung diseases, such as COPD that can lead to strokes, heart attacks and cancer. Smoking cigarettes can also worsen respiratory ailments and make one more prone to lung cancer.
It is essential to inform your lawyer that you have a medical condition. Insurance companies will ask you about your medical history. If you lie or withhold information, this could affect the amount you get as settlement. If you are honest with your attorney you'll be able to answer all of their questions and stop them from uncovering any information that could harm your case.
Attorney Fees
Rail workers are exposed to carcinogens like benzene and asbestos. Workers may seek compensation if are diagnosed with cancer, or any other serious disease. This is a legal process under the Federal Employers Liability Act. However, the amount of a railroad settlement leukemia will vary according to a variety of factors, including how long the worker was exposed. A competent FELA cancer lawyer can help injured railroad employees determine the value of their claim, and negotiate with the insurance company in order to get fair and adequate compensation.
In one instance, our railroad cancer attorneys successfully helped one of our major railroad clients in a FELA lawsuit claiming that exposure to diesel exhaust and other toxic chemicals led to the plaintiff's oropharynx cancer. The judge granted summary judgment, finding that the statute of limitations was expired prior to the plaintiff's diagnosis, and that his claims were barred by an earlier release agreement.
If you've been diagnosed with railroad cancer or have any other health issues that are related to your on-the-job exposure, contact us today to schedule an initial consultation with a lawyer for free. We will review medical documents and other records in order to determine the worth of a railroad settlement leukemia. We can also discuss whether you are eligible for additional compensations, including lost wages in the past or in the future and medical expenses that are not covered by insurance.