USA RAIL TERMINAL 
Diesel Exhaust Exposure

Many former railroad workers fall ill many years after an initial period of toxic exposure, and may not be entirely sure if there are any consequences for a negligent employer. If an employer failed to properly warn workers of a safety risk, failed to train workers on workplace safety, violated OSHA safety standards, and failed to provide safety equipment, they may be held liable for any injury or illness that results. 

After any cancer or medical condition gets a confirmed diagnosis, many individuals begin to wonder if they were at an increased cancer risk at their workplace. Many rail yards, including USA Rail terminals that service and operate diesel locomotives, have been linked to occupational cases. 

Dozens of illnesses and cancers are linked directly to railroad diesel exposure. Workers at USA Rail terminals in Baton Rouge, Orange, or Port Arthur, Texas, along with hundreds of other rail yards could be exposed to diesel exhaust fumes, creosote and coal tar pitch, benzene, industrial solvents, asbestos, silica dust, welding fumes and other toxins. The inhalation of each toxic material carries its own health and cancer risk, which could include 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 

Can I Get Compensated For An Occupational Illness?

Each individual railroad cancer case is unique, and everyone’s work history and medical records are different. Our diesel exhaust cancer lawyers work with industry experts assess viable cases, and aim to reach a fair settlement that may include the following:

• Medical Costs: Any past health-related expense may be reimbursed if an individual’s cancer is deemed to be directly linked to toxic exposure at a rail yard. Any future expenses will also be covered by a settlement, including all medications, treatments, hospital visits, physician consultations, surgeries, and rehab programs.

• Lost Wages: If a worker had to stop working due to an illness or occupational cancer, they may be compensated for lost earnings. If the injury or illness precludes them from returning to the workforce in the same or similar capacity, they may file a claim to be compensated for lost future earnings. Some settlement packages may also include job training compensation.

• Non-Material Damages: Our legal team will negotiate for damages compensation that include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, loss of quality of life and wrongful death.

About USA Rail

USA Rail is a relatively new rail logistics company, but workers are likely to face the same health issues as their counterparts did fifty years ago. Toxic diesel inhalation, and exposure to creosote, benzene, solvents, welding fumes, silica dust and asbestos can result in the development of many serious illnesses.

USA Rail has rail yards, otherwise known as terminals , positioned on the Gulf Coast in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and in Port Arthur and Orange, Texas. The market for transporting oil and gas and other petrochemicals requires a fair amount of railcar storage, switching, transloading, cleaning and rail maintenance. The rail terminals in Baton Rouge are served by Union Pacific. The Orange, Texas yards are served by UP and BNSF, and  the Port Arthur yard is served by Kansas City Southern.

Many workers at USA Rail yards are tasked with rail car cleaning and repair. This may involve working with some very toxic substances, placing workers at risk, particularly when working in a poorly ventilated area.

When railroad track workers operate machinery that disturb railroad ballast, silica dust is released into the air and can easily be inhaled. Many American railroad workers are exposed to silica at their respective rail yards, sometimes regardless of their position.

Diesel exhaust fumes are also so commonly present at rail yards that almost any worker in the field can be at risk of chronic diesel exposure. Other workers at risk include welders, electricians, carmen, yardmen, trackmen, conductors, engineers and others.