Pennsylvania Railroad Premature Death Lawyer

Occupational injuries and death are tragic risks that many workers in the railroad industry face. The nature of railroad work often requires employees to work in close proximity to a variety of dangerous cancer-causing chemicals, toxins, in addition to heavy machinery and equipment. There may be cases where the negligence of a railroad company or one of its employees results in a worker’s untimely and early death. If your loved one passed away due to an injury, illness, or accident that occurred while they were working on the railroad, you could have grounds to sue for wrongful death compensation. It is best to confer with a Pennsylvania railroad premature death lawyer if you are thinking about filing this type of claim. A Pennsylvania railroad injury attorney could investigate the circumstances of your loved one’s untimely death to determine whether a person or entity’s negligence was involved in what happened. If the railroad company, one of its employees, or a third party was responsible for your loved one’s death, an attorney could advocate aggressively for the highest compensation award.

Requirements to Achieve Premature Death Compensation in Pennsylvania Railroad Claims

The law provides a limited time following a railroad worker’s death for the family to pursue damages on their behalf. As such, it is usually best to contact a seasoned attorney at the first opportunity to ensure any claim for premature death against the railroad company or other responsible party is filed promptly. The worker’s family must also show that their loved one’s death was the direct or even a partial result of the railroad company’s negligence.

When the railroad company’s failure to provide a reasonably safe work environment caused or contributed to the worker’s premature death, they could be legally liable for damages if the worker’s family files a wrongful death lawsuit. The Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA) governs an injury or wrongful death claims filed concerning railroad workers.

Several different types of damages may be claimed in a premature death lawsuit filed on behalf of a deceased railroad employee, including the tangible and intangible losses associated with the worker’s death. First, the family may be able to claim compensation for the damages incurred by the worker before their death, such as their pain, suffering, and hospital bills. The worker’s family may also claim costs for the benefits or support lost due to the individual’s death, such as lost income. Other forms of compensation, such as the worker’s funeral expenses, medical expenses and lost wages may also be available. A husband, wife, and children who survive the railroad worker have priority to claim wrongful death compensation.

Frequent Factors in the Railroad Worker Fatalities

There is a substantial array of factors that commonly contribute to railroad worker fatalities. Terrible accidents such as a train diverging from the track, machine or equipment failures, or fires can cause railroad employees to suffer fatal injuries. The premature death of railroad workers can also often be linked to prolonged exposure to occupational hazards, such as dangerous chemicals and carcinogenic substances, like benzene, silica, diesel exhaust, creosote, and asbestos.

It is also not unusual for railroad employees to be diagnosed with incurable cancers, such as throat, colon, lung, or bladder cancer, as well as many leukemias and lymphomas many years after exposure. An experienced attorney could look into a case involving a Pennsylvania railroad worker’s premature death and help the grieving family understand their best legal options.

Ask a Pennsylvania Railroad Premature Death Attorney for Legal Assistance

If you have suffered the death of a loved one to a railroad-related accident, injury, or illness, a Pennsylvania railroad premature death lawyer may be able to help. An attorney could answer your questions and evaluate the legal basis of your claim. Premature death claims involving railroad companies are very complex to prove, so it is vital to have skilled legal representation from the start. Call today to learn more about how a railroad injury attorney could help.