Railroads have been an integral part of building America since the mid to late 1800s. As America grew, the distribution of food, fuel, building material and more was made possible thanks to the railroads and the people who worked on them.
Railroad workers were responsible for building and maintaining the track system, operating the trains and coordinating the movement of people and goods.
Although railroads became less important with the advent of the automobile, to this day they railroads still employ over one million people and move a third of all goods destined for export.
Risks of working in the railroad industry:
Working in the industry is not without risk, one being exposure to asbestos. Asbestos was used extensively in rolling stock manufacture up until the late 1970s. OSHA made it clear that asbestos posed a danger to human health. Railroads that were well aware of these dangers but failed to inform their employees; as a result, many employees developed lung cancer. Numerous studies and surveys made in the 1980s found that 21 percent of all railroad workers over 50 years of age had been exposed to the harmful effects of asbestos.
The need to sue for damages:
Railroad workers are not part of the worker’s compensation program. If a worker gets cancer, he or she must hire a railroad cancer lawyer and bring a civil suit under the Federal Employees Liability Act. It is the responsibility of the worker and his or her lawyer to show it was employer negligence that resulted in the disease.
There is no cap on the amount of financial compensation in FELA lawsuits. As injuries and disease associated with working on a railroad often result in life-threatening illness or even death, a successful lawsuit often results in a higher award that might be expected under workers comp. A seasoned railroad cancer lawyer can help you to get compensation for your injury, medical care, and lost income. In the event of death, the railroad cancer lawyer can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the family of the deceased worker.
Although no legal action can undo the effects of cancer, a railroad cancer lawyer can hold those responsible accountable. To discuss your situation, contact Hughes Law Offices. Follow us on google+.
