FELA and Railroad Cancer LawsuitsThe Federal Employers Liability Act allows railroad workers to claim compensation for illnesses or injuries caused by their job. A skilled FELA lawyer can help you seek damages for economic and non-economic losses.You must submit a claim under FELA within three years of the date you discover that you have a diagnosis and you are aware that the health issue is connected to your employment at a railroad. A lawyer can help you determine the date at which this timeframe begins to begin.How Do Railroad Workers Claim Cancer Claims?Bladder cancer lawsuit diagnosed with cancer which could be linked to their work environment are able to make an insurance claim. This is often done through what is known as a FELA (Federal Employers Liability Act) claim. The law allows employees who have been injured while working to claim damages against their employers that pay for medical expenses as well as lost wages and other expenses.When it is time to file a suit for railroad cancer, it is important to be aware that certain cancers might go unnoticed years or decades. Some patients may find it difficult to connect their diagnosis to their work on the railroad. This is why it's vital to contact an experienced FELA lawyer immediately following the diagnosis of cancer.A FELA attorney with experience will be able analyze the situation and determine whether a worker is eligible to make a FELA suit. In the majority of cases, an employee must present a suit within three years after being diagnosed with cancer and having a reason to know that the cancer was caused by their work on the railroad.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 metastasized to his colon and esophagus. The widow claimed that her late husband was exposed to asbestos-containing materials when working for CSX and that the railroad failed to take proper safety precautions to safeguard him.What are the most common causes of esophageal cancer within the railroad industry?Since railroads were the primary mode of transport for passengers prior to the time that airplanes became popularized, workers on trains came into contact with numerous chemicals that can cause cancer. When they were building railways, operating trains, or working in a shop, numerous railroad workers were exposed carcinogens that could cause cancer on a regular basis. These include asbestos, diesel fumes, and solvents.Studies have shown that people working on railroads could be more susceptible to developing a variety of different types of cancer than people working in other occupations. This is why a knowledgeable railroad cancer injury lawyer could assist an ex-railroad worker establish that their cancer was the result of a exposure to toxins in the workplace as well as chemical substances.Squamous cell cancer is the most commonly encountered type of tumor when it comes to cancers that affect the upper two thirds of the esophagus. The lower third of the esophagus are more often affected by cancer called adenocarcinoma. Other risk factors for esophageal cancer that are caused by work-related exposure to chemicals and toxins include smoking tobacco, reflux, and achalasia.Leukemia lawsuit claimed that CSX Railroad exposed their husband to a variety of toxic substances during his work that led to his stomach cancer death. However, the Court granted Defendant's Motion for Summary Judgment and dismissed all claims.How Do Railroad Workers File a Claim for Compensation Under FELA?The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows railroad workers to file lawsuits against their employers over injuries and illnesses that occur due to working conditions. The FELA permits workers to claim compensation for injuries sustained in traumatic accidents, aggravations of pre-existing conditions and occupational diseases like cancer. An experienced railroad esophageal carcinoma lawyer can review your case and explain how the law applies to your specific situation.Unlike cancer lawsuit that is filed in state workers compensation or a state industrial court, railroad cases have to be filed in federal court. This is because FELA is a federal statute, and it sets the tone for all worker's compensation laws based on land. laws and maritime law in the United States.There is a limit on the time to file a FELA suit. You must file a lawsuit within three years of the date you were diagnosed and have known that it was a work-related health issue. An attorney who has expertise in FELA can help you determine when the three-year time frame begins to begin.In a recent case an employee of a railroad aged 62 was awarded $500 in damages in compensation for pain and suffering relating to esophageal tumors. The plaintiff claimed that exposure to diesel fumes as well as asbestos - - both of which he was aware of prior to his diagnosis - caused his cancer.What amount can I expect in damages from a railroad esophageal cancer case?Railroad workers who suffer from esophageal carcinoma due to their work may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings and discomfort. These are known as economic damages, and may be awarded in a lawsuit for railroad cancer. In many cases other damages, such as emotional distress are also awarded.Railroad injury lawyers could employ expert witnesses to establish a connection between an employer's negligence and the worker's esophageal cancer or other illness. A former employee of a train repair facility might have been exposed to solvents such as paint or degreasing agents that can cause Esophageal cancer. In certain instances there is a possibility that military service at Camp Lejeune could have predisposed to develop esophageal cancer.In one instance, our client was awarded $6.1 Billion as part of a class-action settlement for the exposure to volatile organic compound in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune which led to patients developing esophageal cancer. However, there are numerous other factors that could affect the amount of money the plaintiff receives in their railroad accident claim, for example, how long they spent at Camp Lejeune and how severe their esophageal cancer is. We will maximize your compensation at Sokolove Law and ensure that you get the justice that you deserve. Contact us today to learn more about the case.