FELA and Railroad Cancer LawsuitsThe Federal Employers Liability Act allows railroad employees to claim compensation for illnesses or injuries that result from their work. A skilled FELA lawyer can help you seek damages for both economic and non-economic damages.You must make a claim under FELA within three years after you discover that you have a diagnosis and know that your medical condition is related to your work at the railroad. An attorney can help you in determining when the claim period starts to begin.How railroad workers file claims for cancer?People who have been diagnosed with cancer, which could be caused by their exposure at work could be able to make an insurance claim. This is usually done through what is known as a FELA (Federal Employers Liability Act) claim. The law allows employees who have been injured while working to sue their employers for damages that pay for medical expenses, lost wages and other costs.When it is time to file a suit for railroad cancer, it's important to be aware that certain cancers may go unnoticed for decades or years. Some patients may be unable to connect their diagnosis to their work on the railroad. It is crucial to contact a FELA lawyer who has experience as soon as you are diagnosed with cancer.A FELA attorney with years of experience can assess the situation and determine if workers have a case to bring a FELA suit. In the majority of cases, the worker must file a lawsuit within three years after being diagnosed with cancer. They must also be aware or have a reason to believe that their work on railroads has caused the cancer.At the end of 2016, Rutha Frieson filed a lawsuit against CSX Transportation Inc. for the death of her husband, Marvin Frieson, who passed away from stomach cancer which had developed into his esophagus and colon. The widow claimed that her husband was exposed to asbestos-containing material while working for CSX and that the railroad did not employ the appropriate safety measures to safeguard him from harm.What are the common causes of Esophageal Cancer in the Railroad Industry?Because railroads were a crucial mode of transportation for passengers before airplanes were popular, people on trains were often in contact with a wide range of chemicals that could cause cancer. Whether they were building railways, operating or maintaining trains, or working in a shop, numerous railroad workers were exposed to dangerous carcinogens on a regular basis. These include diesel fumes, asbestos and solvents.Research has proven that those who work for railroads could be more likely to develop a range of different forms of cancer than people who work in other fields. A lawyer for railroad-related cancer can help a former rail worker establish that their cancer was caused by their work exposure to chemicals and toxins.Squamous cell cancer is the most commonly encountered type of cancer in cases of cancers that affect the upper two-thirds of the esophagus. Adenocarcinoma tends to be more prevalent in the lower third. Other risk factors caused by exposure to chemicals or toxins at work include smoking or consuming alcohol, as well as reflux and achalasia.A widow claimed that CSX Railroad exposed their husband to a variety of harmful substances while he worked, which led to his stomach cancer dying. The Court, however, granted the defendant's motion for summary Judgment. All claims were dismissed.How do railroad employees make a claim for compensation under the FELA?The Federal Employers Liability Act allows railroad employees to sue their employers when they suffer injuries or get sick from working conditions. The FELA allows workers to claim compensation if they suffer injuries that cause trauma which aggravate existing conditions or occupational diseases, such as cancer. A lawyer who is a railroad esophageal tumor can review your case and explain the law's application to your particular situation.As opposed to a standard workplace injury lawsuit filed in state workers compensation or a state industrial court, railroad cases have to be filed in federal court. The reason is because FELA which is a federal law that sets the standard for all laws governing worker's compensation on maritime and land law across the United States, is the base of the railroad cases.It is important to remember that you have a short amount of time to bring a FELA lawsuit. You must submit a lawsuit within three years of the date that you were diagnosed and have known it was a workplace-related illness. An attorney who has experience in FELA can help you determine the date that the three-year period begins to run.In a recent case an 62-year old railroad employee was awarded damages of $500 for pain and suffering that was related to his esophageal cancer. The plaintiff argued that exposure to asbestos and diesel fumes that he was aware of at the time of his diagnosis - was the cause of his cancer.How Much Damages can I Expect to Receive in a Railroad Esophageal Cancer Case?Railroad workers who contract esophageal cancer due to their work can be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain. In the case of a cancer affecting railroad workers they are referred to as economic damages. In many instances non-economic damages like emotional distress are also possible.Expert witnesses could be used by railroad injury attorneys to establish a link between the negligence of the employer and esophageal illnesses. An employee who was employed at an repair facility for trains could have been exposed by solvents like paint and degreasing agents which can cause Esophageal cancer. In some cases the military experience at Camp Lejeune could have predisposed to develop esophageal cancer.In one instance in which our clients were awarded $6.1 Billion in a class action settlement for exposure to volatile organic compounds found in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune that led to Esophageal cancer of veterans. But there are many other factors that affect the amount a plaintiff receives in their railroad accident claim, such as the amount of time they spent at Camp Lejeune and how severe their esophageal cancer is. We will maximize your settlement at Sokolove Law and ensure that you get the justice you deserve. Contact  Interstitial lung disease lawsuit  for more information about the case.