Kansas Railroad Toxic Exposure Lawsuits | Occupational Cancer

Kansas Diesel Cancer Settlements

Current and former railroaders in Kansas and across the Midwest have fallen ill with occupational cancers like AML and lung cancer due to frequent workplace exposure to diesel fumes, welding fumes, solvents, silica dust, benzene, asbestos and creosote. Taking legal action following toxic exposure can compensate families for a wide range of related damages.

Railroad workers who have been forced to leave their job due to an occupational lung disease or another serious medical condition can elect to file FELA claims and pursue a personal injury lawsuit when necessary. Contact our railroad cancer lawyers to discuss the next steps.

How Are Kansas Railroad Workers At Cancer Risk?

Health risks depend largely on the specific position at a rail yard, but some workers still face chronic toxic exposure on the job. The industry had been known to use asbestos in locomotive brake linings, and in the insulation of cabs and other machinery. Asbestos exposure can lead to mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Diesel fuel is still used in great quantities with diesel trains consuming hundreds of gallons of fuel on regular runs. Thus, rail yards can be filled with diesel fumes, endangering anyone in the area. Diesel exhaust exposure is linked to numerous lung diseases, including lung cancer, bladder cancer, COPD, pulmonary fibrosis and several other cancers.

Any workers who were based in poorly ventilated workshops or roundhouses were at an increased risk of inhaling unhealthy amounts of carcinogenic diesel engine exhaust and vapors. Pipefitters, welders, boiler techs, electricians, machinists, diesel mechanics, and others were regularly handling or inhaling solvents, degreasers, mineral spirits, asbestos fibers and other toxins.

Trackmen and track maintenance crews have complained of the tasks of constantly handling creosote-covered ties, herbicides and moving ballast rock, which disturbs the ballast and makes silica dust exposure likely.

Even conductors and engineers inside the trains have been exposed to great amounts of diesel exhaust, which has been described as inescapable, despite basic precautions. Many railroad workers return home at night with the smell of diesel on their persona and clothing.

Our railroad injury lawyers are reviewing workplace cancer claims for former Kansas railroaders at the following rail yards:

• Coffeyville Yard (UP)
• Emporia Yard (BNSF)
• Gardner: Logistics Park (BNSF)
• Armourdale Yard (UP)
• Kansas City: Mill Street Yard (KCT, formerly Gateway Western Railroad)
• Now Kaw River RR (Watco)
• Newton: Sand Creek Yard (BNSF)
• Topeka: Topeka Yard (UP)
• Dodge City Business Park, Dodge City, KS
• Logistics Park Kansas City, Edgerton, KS
• Astra Enterprise Park, De Soto, KS
• Kansas Logistics Park, Newton, KS
• Argentine Yard

What Can Kansas Railroaders Recover in Diesel Exposure Settlements?

Every individual case is unique and your settlement package will depend on your documented work history and the severity of your work-related illness and injuries. In the past, The Lyon Firm has successfully negotiated compensation packages for plaintiffs that have included the following:

• Damages related to lost wages and lost future earnings due to the inability to continue working following an occupational cancer.
• Damages for expenses that workers’ comp or FELA compensation packages will not cover
• Medical costs and expenses not covered by your health insurance
• Expenses for past and future treatments, medications, surgeries, consults and long-term care
• Compensation for rehab programs and job training for workers who cannot return to the same position at a rail yard
• Nonmaterial damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, wrongful death, and reduced quality of life

Which Lung Diseases Are Linked to Diesel Exposure?

Several cancers and occupational lung diseases have links to an acute or chronic exposure to solvents, ballast dust, asbestos, diesel exhaust, benzene, creosote and welding fumes, including the following:

• Lung Cancer
• 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

Only after several decades of documented illness in the railroad industry did NIOSH and OSHA some improve work safety standards. There is still a high risk, however, of toxic exposure at rail yards due to the amount of dangerous chemicals on job sites.

Because of the high risk, the government has established that injured Kansas railroaders can file Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) injury claims. Workers do have to prove that a company was negligent and did not properly protect them, but that is our job. If more robust compensation is necessary to ensure a stable financial future, a separate toxic exposure lawsuit may also be considered. Contact our attorneys to discuss your legal options.