Virginia Railroad Cancer Lawsuits | Toxic Diesel Exposure

Railroad Toxic Exposure Claims

The railroad industry as a whole has had its safety struggles from the beginning. The industry requires hard labor and employees are often working in poorly ventilated workshops. Workers have always faced significant health and safety concerns, particularly with those who worked closely with industrial solvents, creosote, benzene-based products, welding materials, asbestos, silica sand and diesel fuels.

Our firm is investigating new cancer claims on behalf of former Virginia railroad staff who have been diagnosed with a related occupational cancer as a result of years of toxic exposure. Any negligent employer can be held liable for injuries and illnesses that are sustained at the workplace, including anywhere at a railroad work site.

How Are Virginia Railroaders Exposed to Toxic Diesel Fumes?

Many former staff at rail yards have described the ever-present smell of diesel exhaust, not only in the atmosphere, but on their person when they left the workplace and returned home with the strong scent of diesel on their hair, skin and clothing. Some positions, obviously, have been more susceptible to diesel exposure cancers, including conductors, engineers, brakemen, carmen, track maintenance crews and signal operators.

Track maintenance crews, or maintenance of way workers, were also heavily exposed to silica, creosote and pesticides, placing them at further cancer risk. Any worker who spent long days in a small workshop or roundhouse, surrounded by diesel fuel, benzene, welding fumes and potent solvents, was likely at increased risk of later developing a related occupational illness. Welders, machinists, diesel mechanics, pipefitters, plumbers, electricians and others were also exposed on occasion to asbestos, which was used in several applications at various rail yards in the past.

The Lyon Firm is reviewing diesel cancer cases on behalf of former railroaders, maintenance crews and staff who worked in the following rail yards in Virginia:

• Alexandria: Potomac Yard (RF&P)
• Norfolk: Lamberts Point Yard (NS)
• Chesapeake: Portlock Yard (NS, Intermodal, mixed freight)
• Chesapeake: Berkley Yard ( Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad / CSX)
• Petersburg: Collier Yard (CSX)
• Virginia Beach: Little Creek Yard ( Buckingham Branch Railroad )
• Richmond: Fulton Yard (CSX)
• Richmond: Acca Yard (CSX)
• Roanoke Terminal (NS)

What Can Plaintiffs Recover in Diesel Cancer Lawsuits?

Our team of FELA lawyers can take a look at the work history and medical records you can provide, and we can determine what kind of compensation package you can expect. Many railroad cancer settlements may include the following:

• Medical Expenses: all related medical costs can be covered by a settlement, including expenses associated with treatment, medications, surgery, consultations and rehab programs.
• Lost Wages: lost earnings and future earnings can be compensated if a worker has to leave their position due to an injury or illness, and cannot return to the workplace in the same capacity. Job training expenses can also be provided.
• Non-economic Damages: pain and suffering, emotional distress, reduced quality of life, loss of companionship and wrongful death damages can be considered.

‍

Who is at Cancer Risk at Virginia Rail Yards?

The following tasks at rail yards may place workers at an increased risk of later developing lung cancer, AML, or another occupational lung disease:

• Welding
• Painting or removing paint
• Operating diesel engines
• Working in enclosed work spaces with toxic materials
• Handling or removing asbestos insulation
• Using benzene solvents, degreasers and adhesives
• Coating tracks with creosote
• Using pesticides or herbicides like Roundup
• Dumping ballast or silica sand

What Medical Conditions Are Linked to Diesel Exposure?

There are several medical conditions that have strong links to exposure to industrial solvents, herbicides, silica sand, asbestos, diesel fuel, 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