Railroad Throat Cancer Lawyer

Throat cancer is one of the many severe illnesses that railroad workers may develop after prolonged exposure to various toxic chemical substances. Railroad workers who experience throat cancer or other diseases due to chemical exposure at their workplaces may have a valid claim for damages against their employers. A railroad throat cancer lawyer might be able to assess your situation and determine whether you have a viable claim for compensation. Many of the chemical substances that railroad workers encounter daily are known as carcinogens or cancer-causing agents. Significant exposure over a short period or low-level exposure over long periods both can lead to different forms of cancer and other non-cancerous diseases, such as asbestosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. A knowledgeable railroad injury lawyer may be able to gather evidence in support of your claim and help you build a valid claim for damages.

Chemical Exposure and Cancer in Railroad Workers

Railroad workers often are exposed to various carcinogens in performing their everyday tasks. Continued exposure to these chemicals is a known risk factor for developing different cancers, including lung, throat, and other head and neck cancers. Some of the substances that railroad workers commonly encounter include:

• Asbestos used in insulation and electrical panels
• Silica dust from silica sand on railroad tracks and granite ballast, or the gravel spread around the railroad bed
• Diesel exhaust from locomotives and equipment engines
• Creosote that coats railroad ties

Other chemicals commonly at use in railroad yards may include solvents used to clean equipment, lead paint on structures and equipment, fumes from welding, and herbicides from Roundup or other weed killers. Workers who frequent railroad yards are at risk of inhaling these toxins and absorbing them into their skin as they work with various equipment and materials containing these chemicals.

These substances are associated with a heightened risk of developing various cancers, including throat, lung, bladder, colon, and kidney cancers, among other others. Railroad workers also are more likely to develop mesothelioma, a rare form of lung cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. If railroad workers later develop cancer as a result of exposure to chemicals, a throat cancer railroad lawyer may be able to help them seek compensation.

Federal Employers’ Liability Act and Railroad Worker Claims

The Federal Employers’ Liability Act or FELA establishes a cause of action for railroad workers who are injured on the job. To prove liability under FELA, injury victims must show that their employers were negligent, or acted unreasonably under the circumstance. Injury victims also must prove that the negligence of their employer caused their work-related illness or injuries.

Injury victims who can prove that they are entitled to compensation under FELA might be entitled to higher compensation than in regular worker’s compensation claims. These damages may include compensation for:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and decrease in earning ability
• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional trauma

Railroad workers who develop throat cancer or other injuries as a result of their employment also may be eligible to receive compensation for permanent partial or total disability. If the cancer or other medical condition proves to be fatal, surviving family members of deceased railroad workers also may be able to seek compensation under FELA. A seasoned laryngeal cancer attorney also may advise you that there are no caps or limitations on damages under FELA, unlike some other benefits.

Ask a Railroad Throat Cancer Attorney for Help

With some exceptions, injured or ill railroad workers must file their FELA claims within three years of the date of the accident or occurrence that led to their injuries. As a result, railroad workers diagnosed with throat cancer due to chemical exposure should not hesitate to seek legal advice about their options as quickly as possible. A railroad throat cancer lawyer may be able to represent the interests of these injured and ill railroad workers and get them the compensation that they deserve.

FELA claims can be extensive, complicated, and time-consuming. As a result, representation by legal counsel may be the best means of making the process as efficient and effective as possible. With a strong laryngeal cancer attorney on your team, you may be in a better position to achieve positive results in your case. Call today to get started.