Many chemicals that railroad employees come in contact with each day turn out to be carcinogenic and can cause various illnesses and diseases. Throat cancer is a common illness that many railroad workers have been diagnosed with due to substances they were exposed to on the job. Fortunately, those who have been injured due to the reckless and careless actions of the railroad industry may be eligible to recover compensation for damages. A New York railroad throat cancer lawyer could evaluate your case and help you hold negligent railroad companies accountable for their actions. With the help of a seasoned railroad injury lawyer, you may be eligible to recover compensation for damages such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
If a railroad worker’s attorney is able to demonstrate that their employer failed to protect them from known dangerous substances and harm, then they may be awarded damages. Damages refer to monetary compensation provided to make up for various losses suffered due to the negligence or deliberate wrongdoing of another.
Injured railroad workers may be eligible to recover economic damages that can cover losses such as medical bills and lost wages. A diligent railroad throat cancer attorney could calculate the cost these types of losses are expected to have in the future and help seek recovery for those as well.
Additionally, a New York railroad lawyer could help a worker with throat cancer receive compensation for non-economic losses that do not have monetary value but have a tremendous impact on the quality of life. These factors include pain, mental and emotional anguish, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Several different materials used daily in the railroad industry are made of chemicals often linked to various types of cancer, including throat cancer. Some potentially toxic substances in the rail industry workplace include:
Repeated exposure to these materials can increase the likelihood of developing throat cancer. In many cases, employers were aware of the risks posed by these substances yet failed to take adequate measures to protect workers because they believed the costs were too great.
While workers in certain positions may face more harmful exposures than others, virtually all railroad employees were exposed to benzene in diesel fumes from shop equipment, locomotives, and other machinery. Exposure to even small amounts of benzene can prove hazardous. A throat cancer lawyer could endeavor to prove that a worker’s cancer was caused by exposure in the workplace.
Many claims for illness caused by hazardous substance exposure in the railroad industry are brought under the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA). This act gives workers only three years to prepare and file a claim, so it is a good idea to consult an attorney as soon as possible after receiving a throat cancer diagnosis. If a railroad worker doesn’t have reason to know that their throat cancer could be related to exposures at work, the time deadline can be extended, but an experienced railroad cancer attorney can help evaluate whether that applies to a worker’s specific situation.
A New York railroad throat cancer lawyer could investigate to determine whether an employer may be held liable for negligence and work to gather and preserve evidence to support the claim. In many cases, it is necessary to use expert testimony to demonstrate how an employer’s actions caused the cancer. The more time an attorney has to build the case, the greater the likelihood of a successful outcome. Call today to find out how a railroad injury attorney could assist in your case.
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