Railroad workers face dangers on a daily basis that can cause severe injuries or due because of long-term exposure. When a worker has been injured or diagnosed with a railroad-related disease, it is critical to contact a Virginia railroad attorney to find out what the best legal options they have are. Once a case is filed, the injured railroad worker usually has to decide at some point in this process if they want to settle with the railroad or take the case in front of a jury to decide. This can be a difficult choice to make if the worker does not know the full value of their lawsuit.
Unlike other occupations that are usually covered by workers’ compensation insurance if a worker is injured on the job or develops a job-related illness, railroad worker injuries are covered under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). This means the worker has to prove employer liability for their illness or injury. This is also why a railroad worker should retain the help of an attorney who has extensive experience in FELA claims and lawsuits.
The Virginia railroad injury attorneys at Shapiro, Appleton & Washburn have decades of experience in negotiating and litigating FELA injury cases. Our attorneys know that if a railroad worker settles their case too early, they could possibly miss out on future compensation they did not realize they were going to need at the time of settling.
When a railroad worker files a legitimate claim, many railroads – and their insurance companies – are often eager to settle the claim quickly, especially if the injury or illness suffered by the worker results in multiple and high financial damages. The longer the claim is open, the more likely it is that there will be additional expenses that the worker will incur, which should also be covered in any final settlement. However, once the worker has settled their case, they usually cannot recover any future losses they suffer.
A Virginia FELA attorney will make sure that all factors have been determined before calculating how much a worker’s case is worth. For example, an injured worker without an attorney advocating for them may settle before the extent of their injuries (and losses associated with those injuries) have been fully evaluated. When a worker suffers a serious injury, it is impossible to determine what type and how much medical treatment they will need, how long they will be out of work, whether they will have to change jobs once recovered, or whether they will be left with a permanent disability that prohibits them from working. If the worker settles right away, before all of this information is known, they can lose out on a substantial amount of financial compensation they would have been entitled to had they not settled early.
Let Our Virginia Railroad Injury Law Firm Help
If you are a current or retired railroad worker that has suffered an injury or disease that is related to your employment with the railroad and your job duties, do not delay in contacting one of our seasoned and dedicated Virginia FELA attorneys to find out what legal recourse you have for the losses you have suffered. Call Shapiro, Appleton & Washburn today to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
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