Laryngeal Cancer and Railroad Settlement
Asbestos, diesel exhaust and other toxic substances can be a danger for railroad employees. Contact a knowledgeable FELA lawyer if you suspect that your work at a railroad can be the cause of cancer or other illnesses.
If your cancer is growing and you require surgery to remove your larynx (laryngectomy) it is possible that you will be eligible for speech and therapy for language. You may also be able to have a voice prosthesis implanted to aid you in speaking.
Compensation
The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows railroad workers to bring lawsuits directly against their employer if they can prove that they were exposed to asbestos or other harmful chemicals while at work. Most often, these exposures can lead to serious adverse effects that include cancer as well as other diseases. While lung cancer may be the most well-known disease that is associated with rail work, other ailments can also be traced back to years of working in the industry.
If a worker is deemed as suffering from a condition that is related to their job, they may require costly medical treatment. They could also face financial hardships and lose wages.
A railroad cancer settlement may aid in covering these costs. However the initial settlement offer might be much less than what a person is entitled to. An attorney experienced in railroad injury cases could evaluate a settlement to ensure that it meets the requirements of the victim.
In one instance, Doran & Murphy represented a former engineer of locomotives who suffered from laryngeal carcinoma after years of exposure to toxic chemicals used in the railroad industry. In his time the plaintiff was exposed to creosote and degreasing solvents on trains, as well as handled silica sand, contaminated fuel and asbestos. The plaintiff claimed that exposures to asbestos caused his cancer and other chronic illnesses. He was awarded $7.5 million in damages.
Legal Representation
During the 19th and 20th century, railroad workers were exposed to dangers at work that put them at risk for accidents such as derailments or collisions. They also had to deal with harmful substances like asbestos and diesel exhaust. If these exposures resulted in an illness the person who was exposed as well as their family members could be entitled to 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 limitations to expire. If their cancer is connected to their work-related exposure it is possible that they will be awarded significant compensation.
In railroad settlement brought on behalf of an engineer who was formerly employed by the Grand Trunk Railway by Doran & Murphy, the jury awarded damages of $872,000, after finding that railroad exposure to diesel fumes as well as asbestos contributed to the throat cancer. The award was not made after considering the engineer's history of smoking cigarettes, because it was evident from the evidence that the exposure to diesel fumes and asbestos at work was the primary cause of the condition.
Hughes Law Offices provide case histories to inform visitors about the actual facts of the case and rulings. The cases listed in this section were not handled by Hughes Law Offices unless otherwise specified. Visit our Verdicts & Settlements Page to find out more about the verdicts or settlements that were obtained in these cases.