Maine Railroad Cancer Lawsuits | Diesel Exhaust Exposure

Maine Diesel Lung Cancer Settlements

Maine railroad workers have been heavily exposed to various toxic materials at rail yards throughout the Northeast. Many Maine railroaders have faced chronic diesel exhaust exposure from the diesel fumes emitted by locomotives, which contain benzene and other harmful substances that are easily inhaled by anyone in the vicinity.

Other rail yard workers have battled occupational exposure to silica dust from track ballast maintenance, pesticides, cleaning solvents, lead paint, asbestos, welding fumes, creosote, and other industrial benzene products. These less-than-ideal work environments at rail yards have led to workers developing a number of serious lung diseases, leukemia, lung cancer, and other severe medical conditions.

Which Maine Railroad Workers Face Cancer Risks?

Because diesel locomotives consume such large quantities of fuel, almost every rail yard in the country has been a hazardous workplace for men and women in certain positions. Many engineers, conductors, brakemen, carmen and signal operators have reported chronic diesel exhaust exposure, and have described cleaning the windows of cabs because there was a thick film of diesel buildup accumulated inside and out.

Many maintenance of way workers faced the same diesel fumes, but also handled various other carcinogenic materials like herbicides, creosote, coal tar pitch, and were also disturbing track ballast which is likely to expose some workers to silica dust.

Other workers in poorly-ventilated workshops and roundhouses were at risk of acute exposures to asbestos in older building and machinery. Diesel mechanics, welders, pipefitters, electricians, boiler maintenance crews and machinsts are all consider high-risk positions at rail yards. The following rail yards in Maine may have had numerous cancer-causing materials on site:

• Auburn: Danville Junction (Pan Am Railways, St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad)
• Hartford: Hartford Yard (Connecticut Southern/Pan Am Railways)
• Brunswick: Brunswick Yard (Pan Am Railways, Amtrak, Maine Department of Transportation)
• Hermon: Northern Maine Junction (Pan Am Railways, Canadian Pacific Railway)
• Mattawamkeag: Mattawamkeag Yard (Pan Am, Eastern Maine Railway)
• Bangor: Bangor Yard (Pan Am Railways)
• Portland Yard 8 (Pan Am Railways, Maine International Marine Terminal)
• Portland Yard 10 (Pan Am Railways, Amtrak)
• Portland Yard 11 (Pan Am Railways, Guilford)
• Rigby Yard (Pan Am Railways)
• Portland Yard 3 (Pan Am, Turner’s Island Railroad)
• Portland Yard 6 (Pan Am)
• Rumford: Rumford Yard (Pan Am)
• Waterville: Waterville Shops (Pan Am)
• Westbrook Yard 12 (Pan Am)
• Lewiston Junction (St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad)
• Brownville: Brownville Junction (Eastern Maine Railway, Canadian Pacific Railway)
• Millinocket: Millinocket Yard (Maine Northern Railway, Canadian Pacific Railway)
• Rockland: Rockland Yard (Maine Department of Transportation)

What Can Plaintiffs Expect in  Railroad Toxic Exposure Lawsuits?

Every case is different because every railroader’s work history and specific medical history is unique. But we handle each railroad cancer case in a similar manner, and build the strongest claim possible to ensure the best FELA injury settlement available. Most compensation packages will include the following:

• Coverage for all medical costs not covered by basic health insurance plans, including all medications, treatments, consultations, hospital visits and rehabbing related to an occupational cancer or illness
• Compensation for all lost wages and lost future earnings if a worker has to leave the workplace due to illness, and cannot return to their job in the same capacity
• Damages for pain and suffering, reduced quality of life, loss of companionship, and emotional distress

What Railroad Cancers Are Linked to Diesel Exhaust?

There are numerous occupational cancers and lung diseases that have been reported by former railroad conductors, engineers, maintenance or way crews, brakemen, trackmen, boilermakers, pipefitters, welders, machinists and diesel mechanics, 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

NIOSH and OSHA have established improved work safety standards, but there are still serious risks of toxic exposure at rail yards due to the high number of carcinogenic substances on site. After a cancer diagnosis, former Maine railroad employees can elect to file Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) injury claims. If more compensation is necessary to ensure a stable financial future, a work injury lawsuit may also be considered. Contact our attorneys to discuss your legal options.