Railroad Workers Mesothelioma Lawyer

Mesothelioma is a terminal cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. For many years across the US, asbestos was widely used in many industries for its fireproofing and insulating properties, including in railroad work. If you or a family member worked in this industry and has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should consult an experienced railroad workers’ mesothelioma attorney as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.

Representing Railroad Workers in Mesothelioma Cases Nationwide

The attorneys at Kelley Ferraro, LLC have nearly 30 years of experience representing clients in mesothelioma cases across the US. We have successfully recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for more than 40,000 clients who have developed mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, including many who worked in the railroad industry. We are confident we can provide unmatched legal representation for your mesothelioma case.

Our firm will help you determine the most likely source of the asbestos exposure that caused your mesothelioma. Railroad workers face a significant occupational risk of asbestos exposure:

• For many years, asbestos was used extensively in the manufacturing of many train components, including locomotives, cargo carriages, engines, boilers, and passenger cars.
  
• Many components of trains contain asbestos, such as brake linings, clutch pads, gaskets, and other parts. Some workers must repair or replace these components, potentially exposing them to asbestos.
  
• Occupations related to the railroad industry also entail a risk of asbestos exposure, such as steelworkers, yardmasters, pipefitters, and electricians.

One of the most challenging aspects of any mesothelioma case is accurately determining the most likely source of the asbestos exposure that led to this diagnosis. Railroad workers diagnosed with mesothelioma could have multiple legal options for claiming compensation, but experienced legal counsel is crucial for reaching positive results in these cases. The team at Kelley Ferraro, LLC can provide individualized, results-driven counsel for your case.

Understanding Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma

Asbestos exposure is the only known cause of mesothelioma. Asbestos was used in countless applications across the US for decades until the health risks became apparent. After asbestos was determined to be unsafe, extensive efforts to remove it from as many places as possible were undertaken, and asbestos abatement operations continue today.

When any asbestos-containing material is damaged or mishandled, this can release asbestos fibers into the surrounding area. These fibers are incredibly small, thin, and sharp. They are light enough to remain suspended in still air for long periods, increasing the risk of exposure for those in the vicinity. When these fibers enter the body, they can become embedded and gradually develop into mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is not very common; only about 3,000 new cases are diagnosed in the US each year. However, new cases of mesothelioma continue to be diagnosed each year because of exposure that occurred years ago. Despite the fact that the health risks of asbestos are well understood today, new cases appear every year because of the time it takes for mesothelioma to cause noticeable symptoms.

Mesothelioma has a very long latency period. It usually takes decades for the first symptoms of mesothelioma to appear, and by this time, the disease will have already progressed to an advanced stage. Early symptoms may be mistaken for other, less serious illnesses, and this could also delay treatment.

After someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, life expectancy depends on the disease’s progression. The average five-year survival rate for localized mesothelioma is 23%, and this drops to 11% if the disease has spread to distant parts of the body. Treatment includes various standard cancer treatments to slow progression, such as surgery or chemotherapy, and the patient will need other therapeutic treatments to manage symptoms and maintain quality of life.

Determining Legal Options for Railroad Worker Mesothelioma

It can be difficult to accurately pinpoint the most likely source of the asbestos exposure that has caused your mesothelioma. However, once your railroad workers’ mesothelioma attorney can determine the most likely cause, this will inform your legal options. You may have multiple options for claiming compensation for your diagnosis.

Many US companies that formerly manufactured asbestos-containing products have been required to create mesothelioma injury trusts. These trusts exist to compensate those adversely affected by such products and continue to disburse compensation to claimants all over the country each year. Your attorney can determine whether you are eligible to file such a claim and, if so, guide you through the process.

If you currently work as a railroad worker and are diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may have been exposed to asbestos at your current job. If so, the Federal Employers’ Liability Act could apply to your situation, and you may have grounds to file a civil claim against your employer for failure to provide a safe working environment. You may also qualify to claim workers’ compensation benefits, but this will be limited in what it can provide.

Filing a personal injury case for mesothelioma generally offers the greatest chance of securing appropriate compensation for your damages. If you can prove that a specific party is directly responsible for your mesothelioma diagnosis, a skilled railroad workers’ mesothelioma attorney can help you build your personal injury case. You can also trust your attorney to accurately assess the full extent of your economic and non-economic damages.

Claiming Compensation for Railroad Worker Mesothelioma

You may be able to recover compensation with a claim to a mesothelioma injury trust or with a workers’ compensation claim through your employer if you are eligible to claim these benefits. While both of these options are worth exploring if they are available to you, filing a mesothelioma personal injury case is likely to yield the greatest amount of compensation if you hire a mesothelioma lawyer to handle your case.

In a personal injury case, the plaintiff has the right to claim compensation for economic and non-economic damages they suffered because of the defendant’s actions. If you can prove that a specific party’s negligence, intentional misconduct, regulatory noncompliance, or willful concealment of an asbestos exposure risk caused your mesothelioma, you can seek compensation for all resulting damages.

In most mesothelioma cases, economic damages include medical expenses and lost income. You have the right to claim compensation for all treatment you require, including the cost of future palliative care. Most mesothelioma diagnoses happen later in life, often after retirement, but if you were diagnosed and planned to continue working, it’s possible to claim compensation for lost future earning capacity.

In addition to these economic losses, you also have the right to claim compensation for your pain and suffering. Mesothelioma causes painful and debilitating symptoms, and cancer treatment often causes challenging side effects that make daily life difficult in many ways. Additionally, a terminal diagnosis is a very difficult thing to accept, and this can cause severe psychological distress for anyone in this situation.

Your railroad workers’ mesothelioma attorney at Kelley Ferraro, LLC can accurately assess all economic damages you are eligible to claim and help you obtain as much compensation as possible for your pain and suffering. In some of these cases, defendants are also required to pay punitive damages. This is usually in response to egregious negligence or illegal misconduct, and your attorney can explain how any such factors could influence your case’s outcome.

What to Expect From Your Railroad Workers Mesothelioma Attorney

When you hire Kelley Ferraro, LLC, we will listen to your story and help you determine your most viable legal options in response to your mesothelioma diagnosis. Our firm has successfully represented thousands of clients nationwide, and we take a client-focused approach to legal counsel in mesothelioma cases. We’ll address your individual needs and concerns and tailor our approach to help you secure as much compensation as possible, as quickly as possible.

You can rely on us to help you with a claim to a mesothelioma injury trust, and we can also negotiate workers’ compensation benefits on your behalf if applicable. When you have grounds to file a mesothelioma personal injury case, we will do everything we can to help you secure as much compensation as possible from the defendant. We also provide compassionate wrongful death counsel if your family has lost a loved one to mesothelioma.

We prepare every case for trial, even if we believe we can reach a settlement. Our team consists of trial attorneys who have proven success in the courtroom, but we know that a settlement is not always possible. This approach strengthens our negotiating position during settlement attempts, and we will be fully prepared to represent you in litigation if necessary.

Our firm has successfully helped clients hold employers, property owners, product manufacturers, and many other defendants accountable for asbestos exposure throughout the US. We know the unique risks that railroad workers face and how to help our clients prove liability for their diagnoses. Ultimately, receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis can be life-changing for the victim and their family. We approach every case with a compassionate and unwavering focus on our client’s unique needs and concerns. If you believe you have grounds to file a mesothelioma case related to your railroad work, we can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a railroad workers’ mesothelioma attorney at Kelley Ferraro, LLC.