Laryngeal Cancer and Railroad Settlement
Railroad workers are susceptible to diesel exhaust, asbestos and other hazardous substances. Contact an experienced FELA lawyer if you believe that your job as a railroad worker can be the cause of cancer or other ailments.
Speech and language therapy could be an option when your cancer is progressing and you are required to undergo surgery to remove your voice box (laryngectomy). You may also be able to have an implanted voice prosthesis that will assist you in speaking.
Compensation
The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows railroad workers to file lawsuits directly against their employer if they can prove they were exposed to asbestos or other toxic chemicals while at work. These exposures to toxic chemicals can cause serious side-effects that include cancer as well as other diseases. While lung cancer may be the most well-known illness associated with rail work, other illnesses can also be traced back to years of working in the industry.
If a person is diagnosed as having a disease that is related to their job, they may require costly medical treatment. They may also be afflicted by financial hardships and lost wages.
A railroad cancer settlement could be able to cover these costs. The initial settlement offer may be a lot less than the amount to which the victim is entitled. An experienced lawyer who has handled railroad-related injuries can assess the settlement offer to make sure that it meets the needs of a victim.
In one case, Doran & Murphy represented an engineer from the past who suffered from laryngeal cancer as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals used in the railroad industry. In his professional life, he sprayed degreasing agents on trains and handled silica, fuels, and asbestos. The plaintiff claimed that these exposures led to his cancer as well as other chronic diseases. He was awarded $7.5 million in damages.
Legal Representation
In the 19th and 20th centuries, railroad workers faced dangerous work conditions which put them at risk for accidents like derailments and collisions. Colon cancer lawsuit settlements were exposed toxic substances such as asbestos and diesel exhaust. If these exposures resulted in a diagnosis of cancer, the worker and his or family members could be entitled compensation.
Railroad workers who contract cancer should consult with a knowledgeable lawyer from the railroad industry to discuss their options. They should not wait for the statute of limitation to run out. If their cancer is linked to their exposure at work they could be eligible for substantial compensation.
For example in a lawsuit brought by Doran & Murphy on behalf of a former Locomotive Engineer for the Grand Trunk Railway, a jury handed down damages of $872,000 after concluding that the railroad's exposure to diesel fumes and asbestos contributed to his cancer of the throat. The verdict was made without taking into consideration the engineer's history of smoking cigarettes, as it was evident from the evidence that the exposure to diesel fumes as well as asbestos in the workplace was the reason for his illness.
Case histories are provided by Hughes Law Offices to inform visitors about actual case facts and rulings. Unless otherwise noted the cases mentioned herein were not handled by our firm. To find out more about the settlements and verdicts obtained in these cases visit our Verdicts & Settlements page.