Railroad Bladder Cancer Attorney
Bladder cancer can be caused by exposure to hazardous chemicals at work, such as asbestos, diesel exhaust, and industrial solvents. Many of the hazardous substances that can increase the risk of bladder cancer have been used frequently in and around trains and railroad facilities, which is unfortunate for those who work or used to work in the railroad industry.
If you are diagnosed with bladder cancer and have worked in the railroad industry, it is a good idea to speak to a railroad bladder cancer lawyer. An experienced railroad injury lawyer may be able to help you and your family move beyond the diagnosis with compensation.
How does the railroad industry relate to bladder cancer?
The development of bladder cancer is strongly linked to occupational exposure to toxic chemicals. Asbestos and industrial solvents, found in trades operating in the railroad industry, are suspected to be among the chemicals involved, although research suggests others may be involved, such as metals and motor vehicle exhaust.
Railway workers who work in machine shops, train yards and on trains themselves are exposed to significant amounts of diesel exhaust without any protection. The railroad industry has many jobs that put employees at risk for bladder cancer. In most cases, railroads failed to take precautions to protect their workers from exposure. A railroad bladder cancer attorney could help railroad employees suffering from this disease obtain fair compensation to cover medical expenses and other consequences of their illness.
Can the FELA be used to recover certain types of damages?
The Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA) grants railroad workers the right to hold their employers responsible if they suffer harm from their working conditions. In contrast, workers in other industries can only benefit from the workers’ compensation system. In the case of a debilitating condition like bladder cancer, workers’ compensation benefits can cover medical needs and compensate some lost wages, but they do not cover other effects.
FELA permits railroad workers to seek compensation for intangible effects that have a tremendous impact on life, including pain, suffering, loss of enjoyment, and emotional distress. FELA also provides damages that may be used to pay medical bills, provide for future medical needs, compensate for lost wages in the past and reduce earning potential in the future, and cover other costs, such as caregivers. FELA could enable recovery for railroad bladder cancer victims.
Compensation Claim Requirements
Workers are entitled to be compensated not only for injuries caused by accidents on the job, but also for occupational diseases, such as bladder cancer, caused by exposure to hazardous substances on the job. An employee will need to show that the employer was negligent and that the negligence contributed to the harm they sustained. Therefore, even if you smoked cigarettes, you could still file a cancer claim under the FELA.
If an experienced bladder cancer lawyer was hired, he/she could collect evidence to show how the employer failed to protect employees from harm and how that failure caused the cancer. Frequently, attorneys use expert testimony to prove causation. Speak with an experienced lawyer about recovering compensation for bladder cancer.
Contact a Railroad Bladder Cancer Attorney today
You might not want to think about paperwork and legal issues when you are dealing with the trauma of a bladder cancer diagnosis. You could turn some of your responsibilities to an experienced railroad bladder cancer lawyer so that you could focus on healing while your attorney secured the future for you and your family.
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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.