• Evacuating the train
• Using fire extinguishers or other equipment to put out or contain the blaze
• Contacting the local fire department and the railroad company

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Out-of-pocket expenses
• Pain and suffering

• Injured Workers. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is to the injured worker. In the absence of reporting the worker may not get the medical attention or benefits that he or she deserves.
• Other Workers.  If a report of a railroad injury or illness is not made, then other employees may be at greater risk of suffering similar injuries or illnesses in the future.
• Employers and Contractors. If the employer, or contractor, does not learn of the dangerous condition, then it might not be corrected which could harm not only other workers but also the employer.

1. Is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure
2. Most often occurs decades after asbestos exposure
3. Often results in a short life expectancy because it is often diagnosed at a late stage and is difficult to treat
4. May have been preventable if steps were taken to protect you from asbestos exposure
5. May have been a known risk to the railroad industry before safety measures were put in place

• Different laws may apply to your case. In some cases the Death on the High Seas Act may apply, but in other cases other maritime laws may be applicable to your case.
• If you don’t file your claim on time, then you may be barred from seeking a legal recovery.
• You do not need the stress of managing the case and making sure that you meet all of the requirements on your own.

• Your friends and relatives. There is no shame in having emotional problems, and your loved ones likely want to help you.
• Your doctor or counselor. Your doctor may be able to help you or direct you toward a counselor who can help you through this difficult time.
• A New Jersey construction attorney. You may be entitled to financial compensation for emotional injuries.

1. In a different location. If you have been hurt off of the East Coast of the United States, for example, then you might not want a lawyer experienced in Gulf Coast or West Coast maritime accidents.
2. Not experienced in maritime law. Location is not the only important consideration. You might not want someone to represent you if that lawyer has not previously handled Jones Act or maritime law cases.
3. Difficult to reach. If you have trouble getting through to an attorney’s office before you hire that attorney, it might be a potential sign that the lawyer may be difficult to reach once you hire him.

• Increasing police patrols at high risk locations
• Improving public education efforts
• Putting up more safety signs at NJ Transit locations including second train coming warning signs so that pedestrians do not mistakenly believe the danger is gone when one train passes
• Testing gate skirts to prevent people from going under railroad crossing gates
• Trying to include a railroad safety question on driver’s license tests
• Putting railroad safety information in state driver’s manuals

1. Why did this happen? An investigation can reveal the immediate causes of the accident so that you understand what happened on the day your loved one died.
2. Could this accident have been prevented? An investigation may also reveal whether preventative measures, including training, could have stopped the accident from occurring.
3. Is my family entitled to a financial recovery? A New York railroad accident attorney can help you understand whether your family may be entitled to a financial recovery and can help you fight for a fair recovery.

• Your time to file a claim
• Where you can file a claim
• The amount that you can recover in a claim

• Fall Protection: protective gear such as harnesses and guardrails should be used, according to OSHA regulations.
• Scaffolding Safety: the proper erection, maintenance and inspection of scaffolding equipment can help prevent serious falls.
• Ladder Inspection: ladders are a common tool for carpenters. Yet, injuries from ladder falls may be significant. It is important to make sure that you use the proper ladder for the job and that the ladder is in good condition every time you use one.

• Your Family
• Your Employer
• Emergency Services
• Your Doctor
• Your New York Construction Accident Attorney

• Cancer
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD)
• Asthma

• Railroad employers to adopt safety procedures to protect workers from movement on adjacent tracks.
• All work and equipment movement to stop while there is movement on an adjacent track.
• All railroad employees to move to a predetermined place of safety when they receive warning of an approaching train, or other movement, on an adjacent track.

Are You Entitled to Maritime Accident Pain and Suffering Damages?

You may be entitled to damages for past and future pain and suffering if:

• You were physically injured in a maritime accident.
• You were exposed to a real risk of injury, such as being exposed to chemicals or conditions that could cause a long term illness, and you suffered because of it.

While you are likely suffering emotionally if you witness an accident or you are married to someone who is hurt in an accident, courts will generally not allow you to recover damages unless you meet the criteria described above.

Contact a New York Jones Act Attorney for Help

If you have been hurt in an East Coast maritime accident, then you owe it to yourself and to your family to call the experienced New York Jones Act lawyers of Hofmann & Schweitzer to learn more about how to protect your rights. Please call us today at 1-800-3-MAY-DAY (1-800-362-9329).