Nebraska Railroad Lung Cancer Lawsuits | Diesel Exposure

Railroad Lung Cancer Lawsuits

The Midwest has always been one of the more important economic centers due to the diverse agricultural history of states like Nebraska. This has made the rail industry thrive; however, many Nebraska Railroad workers have later developed occupational cancers due to a number of toxic materials found in various rail yards.

Why File a Nebraska Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit?

Former employees have a right to take legal action if they have been injured on the job, or later fall ill with an occupational illness. Railroad workers in Nebraska and many other states suffer from numerous medical conditions and cancers linked to diesel exposure and close contact with known carcinogens like solvents, creosote, silica dust, welding fumes, benzene and asbestos. Toxic exposure lawsuits have been filed by plaintiffs who were exposed to the aforementioned toxins and who later developed one of the following cancers or diseases:

• Lung Cancer
• Colorectal 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 (NHL)
• Multiple Myeloma
• Aplastic Anemia
• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• Emphysema
• RADS (Reactive Airways Dysfunction Syndrome)
• Interstitial Lung Disease
• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Mesothelioma
• Asbestosis

What is the Value of a Railroad Cancer Lawsuit?

Many diesel exposure cases that result in a related cancer for railroad workers can settle for seven figures. Each individual case is different but there is a good chance that if you ever worked at a rail yard in close contact with toxic materials and you later confirm a cancer diagnosis, you have a good claim. An experienced Nebraska railroad cancer lawyer can negotiate the following terms:

Lost Wages: If a worker leaves a job due to injury or related illness, they may be able to file a lost earnings claim for all past lost wages and future lost wages. These settlements can go above and beyond whatever benefits a worker already receives from FELA or workers’ compensation claims.

Medical Expenses: All medications, treatments, surgeries, hospital visits and specialist consultations can be covered if your basic insurance will not pay for all occupational cancer-related costs.

Non-material Damages: Plaintiffs can claim pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, loss of companionship, emotional distress and wrongful death damages.

After a confirmed lung disease or cancer diagnosis, Conrail employees may be entitled to compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). Workers’ compensation may also be considered, but to be sure of conflicting compensation packages, victims should contact a railroad cancer attorney at (513) 381-2333.

Are All Nebraska Railroad Workers at Cancer Risk?

Cancer and diesel exposure have been linked in occupational studies for years, particularly in railroad workers who spend years in a work space around diesel engines. Poorly ventilated workshops were common before the 1990s and many pipefitters, electricians, welders, mechanics and machinsts worked in enclosed areas with diesel exhaust. Many workers reported going home at night smelling like diesel, the fumes baked into their clothing, skin and hair.

Engineers, conductors, trackmen, yardmen, carmen and track maintenance crews were also exposed to solvents, silica, toxic fumes and benzene on a regular basis. Essentially, anyone who spends years in a rail yard could have been exposed to enough cancer-causing materials to lead to illness later in life.