Yes, you can be compensated for chemical exposure under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA). To receive compensation under this act, you will have to prove that you’re a railroad worker who was exposed to chemicals due to your employer’s negligence. You will also have to show that this chemical exposure contributed to your illness.
Trust a FELA lawyer to determine if you can get money for chemical exposure based on the Federal Employers’ Liability Act. FELA attorneys empathize with railroad employees dealing with the ramifications of chemical exposure at work. Your lawyer will build your case as you focus on self-care in the aftermath of your railroad chemical exposure.
Who Can Be Compensated for Chemical Exposure Under FELA?
Railroad workers can be compensated for chemical exposure under FELA. Or, if a railroad worker’s chemical exposure is fatal, a personal representative of the deceased person (decedent) could receive compensation.
FELA applies to current and former employees of a railroad company and the business’s contractors and subcontractors. Thus, if you were exposed to diesel fumes, benzene, or other dangerous chemicals at any point while working for a railroad and have been diagnosed with an associated illness, you could have grounds for a FELA claim or lawsuit.
Consult with a railroad occupational exposure and cancer lawyer if you’re unsure about whether to proceed with a FELA claim or lawsuit. Your attorney will encourage you to get medical treatment and testing due to the harm that you’ve suffered because of your chemical exposure. Meanwhile, they will fight to get you maximum compensation from your employer.
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How to Secure Compensation for Chemical Exposure Under FELA
Partner with a lawyer who is familiar with the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) and how it relates to the specifics of your situation.
Your attorney will advise you to do several things to boost your chances of getting compensated for your chemical exposure under FELA, including:
- Receive medical attention. Go to your own doctor, not just the one that your railroad company wants to evaluate you. Your doctor can examine your condition and diagnose you with cancer, lung disease, or other conditions linked to your on-the-job chemical exposure.
- Notify your employer. Provide information about your chemical exposure to your employer in writing. Do so immediately, as waiting too long after your exposure can make it tough to prove liability.
- Collect evidence. Gather information about your work history, including where you were working and the types of chemicals you came into contact with at the time of your exposure. Your proof can highlight how your employer put you in danger and increase the likelihood that you’ll be compensated fairly.
- Don’t wait to file your claim or lawsuit. Typically, you have three years from the date of your chemical exposure or when you found out that your illness was work-related to file a claim or lawsuit. Your FELA attorney will submit your compensation request right away and explore every legal avenue to get you case results that match your expectations.
Remember, if you’re a railroad employee who finds out that your employer is responsible for your exposure to chemicals, FELA gives you the right to request compensation from the business. Exercise this right, and you could obtain compensation that serves you and your family well in the years to come.
How Much Money Can You Get for Chemical Exposure Under FELA?
According to FELA, the compensation you receive if you’re exposed to chemicals as a result of a railroad company’s negligence can cover your quantifiable and subjective losses.
Some of the reasons why railroad employees and their families get money through FELA chemical exposure claims and lawsuits include:
- Medical expenses: You can be compensated for hospitalizations, surgeries, medications, and medical care for your illness.
- Lost wages: Your employer could have to give you money for your current and future income losses.
- Pain and suffering: It’s possible to obtain compensation for physical discomfort, mental anguish, and other pain and suffering.
Ask for help from FELA lawyers if you want to get these and other compensatory damages. Your attorney will put together an argument designed to show that your employer acted negligently and should have to cover your losses.
Furthermore, they can contest your employer’s claims that you are in any way responsible for your chemical exposure and illness.
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The Bottom Line on the Compensation Available if You’ve Been Exposed to Chemicals While Working for a Railroad Company
Chemical exposure can have far-reaching effects. If a railroad company caused you to be exposed to hazardous chemicals during your day-to-day work, you could have a case for compensation from them in alignment with FELA.
Poolson | Oden has a legal team in place with over 80 years of combined experience. Our FELA lawyers can discuss the rights of railroad workers who’ve been exposed to chemicals on the job. If you want to seek compensation through a FELA claim or lawsuit, we’re here for you.
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