Ohio Premature Death Lawyer

Among the many industries that present occupational hazards for workers, the railroad industry is one in which employees are often exposed to environmental toxins and dangers on a daily basis. In some cases, railroad workers have been known to suffer premature death as a result of toxic chemical exposure, carcinogens and other hazards faced while on the job. When railroad worker deaths are the result of the railroad company’s negligence, grieving families of these workers may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim. You should consider reaching out to an Ohio premature death lawyer if your loved one’s death was caused by an injury or illness they acquired while working on the railroad. A railroad injury attorney could further investigate the cause of your loved one’s death and determine what legal remedy may be available.

Common Causes of Premature Death for Ohio Railroad Workers

There are a wide variety of common circumstances that may lead to railroad workers in Ohio suffering premature death. For example, serious burn injuries or crushing injuries sustained while on the job, such as from a chemical explosion or falling equipment, could cause a worker’s death. A leading factor in the premature death of railroad workers in Ohio is exposure to certain toxins with carcinogenic qualities. Frequent exposure to substances that cause cancer can lead to premature death. These substances include:

Creosote

Creosote has long been used to inhibit railroad ties from sustaining decay, especially coal tar creosote. Railroad employees like trackmen and laborers are frequently exposed to various forms of creosote. This toxic substance is linked to a wide range of deadly cancers, including lung cancer, prostate cancer, and skin cancer.

Benzene

Benzene is another extremely carcinogenic compound commonly found in diesel exhaust. Many railroad workers are exposed to toxic diesel fumes consistently, including laborers, engineers, and machine operators. Colorectal cancer, many kinds of leukemia, and lung cancer are common risks associated with prolonged benzene exposure. All of these can lead to malignancy and death.

Asbestos

While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) prohibited railroad companies from using asbestos decades ago, asbestos was still commonly incorporated into insulation used in many places railroad workers would work including buildings and locomotive cabs. This meant that many railroad companies negligently exposed their workers to toxic asbestos, which resulted in workers developing many deadly cancers, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, colon cancer, throat cancer, and esophageal cancer. If a railroad worker’s death was caused by exposure to certain toxins while on the job or stemmed from a railroad-related injury, an Ohio lawyer should be consulted to determine whether a claim for wrongful death may be made.

Compensation in an Ohio Railroad Premature Death Lawsuit

An Ohio attorney could help those who lost a loved one to railroad-related injury or illness obtain a variety of compensation in a premature death lawsuit against the railroad company or other responsible entity. Any railroad claim alleging wrongful death would be filed under the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA). FELA allows injured railroad workers and families who have lost a loved one due – even in part – to the company’s negligence, to seek compensatory damages. Compensation for the hospital bills incurred by the railroad worker prior to their death, as well as their funeral expenses, may be claimed. Other forms of compensation could include wages that the railroad worker’s family required and lost as a result of the individual’s untimely death, as well as the worker’s emotional distress, and mental anguish endured before their passing.

Talk with an Ohio Premature Death Attorney About Filing a Claim

If you lost your spouse or parent to an injury or illness they incurred while working on the railroad, and you believe that the railroad company’s negligence was even a partial cause of their death, you should speak with an Ohio premature death lawyer. An attorney could offer an honest review of your case and advise what legal recourse you may have against the railroad company or other negligent entity. To schedule a case consultation, call our office and ask to speak with a member of the legal team.