Railroad Lung Cancer Lawyer

Standing Up for Railroad Workers Nationwide

Investigating industrial toxic exposures and diesel exhaust cancer claims on behalf of railroad workers nationwide.

Numerous railroad employers across the nation have failed to protect their workers over the decades, resulting in serious toxic exposure cancer cases and occupational lung disease in former employees.

The Lyon Firm is currently investigating diesel exhaust injury claims for railroad workers sickened by diesel exhaust and other industrial toxins. Railroad workers have historically been exposed to asbestos, solvents, fuels, welding fumes, ballast dust silica, benzene, and creosote, leading to long-term health problems like cancer. Employers may be liable for these injuries.

Frequent diesel exhaust exposures at the workplace may be more than just an irritating part of the job. In fact, regular diesel exposure can result in very serious medical conditions, including occupational lung disease and industrial toxic exposure cancers.

Those suffering from a diesel exhaust-related cancer may be entitled to significant compensation for their losses through a railroad workers cancer lawsuit. Contact a railroad lung cancer lawyer online or at (513) 381-2333 to begin reviewing your injury claims.

“Really great firm! They were very responsive and respectful. I would highly recommend them!”

- Client: Elizabeth Wagner

Diesel Exposure Railroad Workers: Understanding the Problem

Diesel exhaust is the smoke and gasses that come from diesel engines, like those in trains. It consists of two main components: gasses and particles. These parts are made up of many different chemicals, such as:

• Carbon Dioxide
• Carbon Monoxide
• Nitrogen Oxides
• Sulfur Dioxide
• Benzene
• Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs)

For decades, most trains have relied exclusively on diesel fuel because of its lower costs, availability, and power. Unfortunately, many of the chemicals carried in diesel exhaust are known carcinogens, meaning they have been linked to an increased risk of cancer.

The tin particles released by diesel engines can get into the lungs and other parts of the body.  Because railroad workers are often around diesel engines for many hours each day, they can breathe in a lot of this harmful exhaust.

Over time, this exposure can add up and lead to serious health issues, including different types of cancer.

Railroad Workers and Cancer Statistics

Lung cancer among railroad workers has become a growing concern due to the diesel exhaust fumes spewed out by locomotive engines. One long-term study examined lung cancer deaths among 54,973 U.S. railroad workers over 38 years, during a period when the industry shifted from coal to diesel-powered trains.

Overall, the study discovered alarming data linking lung cancer in railroad workers:

• Workers in jobs involving operating diesel-powered trains had a 40% higher risk of lung cancer death compared to those not exposed to diesel exhaust.
• Out of 43,593 total deaths among the workers, 4,351 were due to lung cancer.
• Similar findings have been observed in over 35 studies, showing a 20-50% increased risk of lung cancer among workers exposed to diesel exhaust.

What Do Damages in a Railroad Cancer Lawsuit Cover?

Damages in a railroad cancer lawsuit can be extensive and may cover many significant, life-long costs that the injured worker may be facing. These can include:

• Hospital bills and medical costs, including costs of medication, surgeries, and other treatments
• Costs not normally covered by standard insurance, such as expenses associated with follow-up therapy and rehabilitation
• Lost wages (for instance, if one misses long stretches of work due to health issues)
• Loss of the ability to generate future income (if the person can no longer work due to their condition)
• Pain and suffering costs
• Loss of companionship of a loved one
• Overall reduced quality of life

Other costs may be factored in, including any form of property contamination, such as in the case of the East Palestine train derailment, which may have affected entire neighborhoods.

In cases where large numbers of people have been affected by the same railroad cancer issue, a class action lawsuit may be needed. Cases where a death results may require wrongful death damages as well.

Railroad Cancer Settlement Amounts

The amount of damages awarded or the size of the settlement will depend on several factors, including:

• The degree of severity of the injuries
• The extent of your medical costs and bills
• How your injuries have affected your quality of life
• Your lawyer’s experience and skill

Thus, it’s important to hire an attorney who has proven experience handling railroad cancer and diesel exposure claims to make sure you get the accurate financial support that fully covers all of the ways your injury has impacted you.

Which Railroad Worker Cancers are Linked to Diesel Exposure?

There are several different illnesses associated with diesel exhaust exposure. Diesel exhaust has been linked in studies to strokes, heart disease, as well as throat, stomach, kidney, pancreatic, and bone marrow cancers.

Some leukemias, also called blood cancers, may be directly caused by toxic exposure to benzene, a component of diesel exhaust. If you or a loved one worked for a railroad company and have been diagnosed with one of the following diesel exhaust inhalation cancers or conditions, you may have a viable claim:

• Lung Cancer
• Non-small cell lung cancer (NLL)
• Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)
• Bladder Cancer
• Esophageal Cancer
• Nasopharyngeal Cancer
• Stomach Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
• Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
• Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL)
• Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Multiple Myeloma
• Aplastic Anemia
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• Emphysema
• RADS (Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome)
• Interstitial Lung Disease
• Pulmonary Fibrosis

Railroad companies have often failed to provide a safe workplace for employees and may have failed to warn or train employees about the hazards of diesel exhaust.

If you’ve been diagnosed with lung cancer or another serious illness due to your work on the railroad, you might be eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

You could also be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. It’s a good idea to reach out to a railroad cancer attorney online or at (513) 381-2333 to discuss what damages you might be able to claim and get the support you need.

Which Railroad Workers Are at Cancer Risk?

Railroad Machinists

Railroad shop employees like machinists, pipefitters, and electricians have typically been exposed to a significant amount of diesel exhaust, asbestos, and welding fumes. Railroad shop workers have historically been exposed to a variety of industrial toxins in solvents, degreasers, lubricants, and fuels.

Machinists have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, lung cancer, and blood disorders like myelodysplastic syndrome, acute myeloid leukemia, and multiple myeloma.

Locomotive Engineers, Conductors, and Brakemen

Ideally, diesel exhaust remains outside the cabs of locomotives, but of course, that is not always the case. Railroad employees have reported continually cleaning the inside windows of a cab because of the buildup of diesel fuel remnants and toxic debris.

Families of railroad workers can describe the unmistakable odor of diesel exhaust that workers drag back home on their clothing and person. Thus, occupational cancers, pulmonary problems, and blood disorders have been common issues for railroad employees.

Carmen, Trackmen, and Equipment Operators

Railroad employees who maintain and construct tracks and yards are also exposed to diesel exhaust as they work closely with locomotives and track equipment. Poorly ventilated working conditions, combined with the presence of diesel-powered machines, create a breeding ground for diesel exhaust exposure cancers.

Track maintenance crews have a couple more risks than many others in the industry. Railroad tie handlers have been exposed to high levels of creosote, which is a heavy toxin known to cause serious health issues. Maintenance of way workers also have to contend with ballast dust that perhaps contains silica, a known carcinogen.

Railroad Mechanics

The mechanics who maintain and repair locomotives and rail cars can be heavily exposed to diesel exhaust. Diesel mechanics often work in poorly ventilated round houses and shops where engines run in closed spaces.

Mechanics encounter running locomotives, which also produce other harmful inhalants like ballast dust. The machinery and buildings may also house asbestos-insulated steam pipes and boilers, asbestos-containing brake pads, and linings.

Where Are Railroad Cancer Cases Concentrated?

Railroad cancer cases are concentrated in numerous railway stations and industrial hubs throughout the U.S. The rail networks in America span from the East Coast to the West, and from Mexico to Canada.

While the parent companies of many rail operators have changed over the last century, most rail yards remain operating in some form. The largest operators in the country include the following:

• Amtrak Worker Cancer Claims | Diesel Exhaust Exposure
• BNSF Railway Diesel Exhaust Cancer
• Canadian National Railway Cancer
• CSX Workers Diesel Exhaust Cancer
• Kansas City Southern Worker Cancer Claims
• Norfolk Southern Railway Workers Diesel Exhaust Cancer Claims
• Union Pacific Worker Diesel Exhaust Exposure Cancer Claims

Cancer cases may be connected to other railroad locations as well. Get in touch with a railroad lung cancer lawyer if you have questions about your work site.

Many work sites may now be defunct, but the employers may still be liable for injuries sustained, and cancers diagnosed many years later.

Why Are These Cases Important?

Rightful compensation for plaintiffs can recover sizable settlements and help pay for mounting medical expenses and other damages, such as long-term disability, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and lost wages. During some of the toughest times in a family’s life, The Lyon Firm is here for you.

“Lung cancer railroad workers claims are a frustrating reminder of how the very work that was meant to provide for families can also tear them apart. It’s a deep injustice that dedicated workers are left fighting for their health and future. That’s why we’re committed to standing up for railroad workers’ right to safe conditions and getting justice for those that have suffered.”

Joe Lyon,Founding Partner of the Lyon Firm

How Can a Railroad Cancer Attorney Help Me?

Railroad workers put in countless hours, doing backbreaking manual labor to provide an honest living for themselves and their families. However, they had no idea that they were breathing in toxic diesel fumes day in and day out, leaving them with life-changing cancer.

Fighting cancer is an incredibly intense and draining battle. The constant treatments, endless doctor visits, and the sheer emotional toll can leave you feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. With so much going on, an attorney can be a major help, because they will help you connect your illness to your time at the railroad.

To be successful in a railroad workers cancer lawsuit, you need to prove that your employer was negligent by not meeting safety standards, which might include

• Failing to provide proper protective gear and equipment
• Continuing to use locomotive parts manufactured with asbestos
• Not taking steps to reduce toxic fumes and protect workers from exposure

Without a lawyer, it can be easy to miss important evidence or make mistakes in presenting your case. A Martindale-Nolo study found that hiring a lawyer is key to improving your chances of getting compensation.

The survey reported that over 90% of those with legal representation received a settlement or award, compared to about half of those who handled their claims on their own. An attorney will see to it that everything is done correctly, boosting your chances of a successful outcome.

Why Hire The Lyon Firm for Your Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit

The Lyon Firm will help you find answers and rightful compensation. Our law firm has the experience, resources, and dedication to take on difficult and emotional railroad cancer cases and help our clients obtain justice for the wrong they have suffered.

Our firm has nearly two decades of experience and success representing individuals and plaintiffs in all fifty states and in a variety of complex civil litigation matters.

Work injury lawsuits can be complex and require industry professionals to determine the root cause of an illness, accident, or injury. Mr. Lyon has connections nationwide to help individuals understand why an occupational injury occurred and what can be done to improve their lives in the future.

Mr. Lyon has worked with professionals in the fields of accident reconstruction, biomechanics, epidemiology, metallurgy, pharmacology, toxicology, human factors, workplace safety, life care planning, economics, and virtually every medical discipline in successfully representing plaintiffs across numerous areas of law.

The Lyon Firm is dedicated to building the strongest cases possible for clients and their critical interests. We have obtained numerous seven and six-figure results, including $2.3 million and $2.7 million in separate cases involving steel mill workers who developed mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure.