If you have been diagnosed with cancer after working on the railroad, you may be able to file railroad FELA claims. Workers who have filed railroad FELA claims allege that they were exposed to dangerous chemicals on the job that ended up causing cancer.

Unfortunately, many railroad workers later diagnosed with cancer may not even know about the possibility of filing railroad FELA claims. Workers might not know about the connection between the chemicals they were exposed to at work and their cancer diagnosis. Others may not be aware that they are able to file railroad FELA claims.

Cancer After Railroad Work

Working on the railroad can expose workers to a variety of dangerous chemicals, some of which are carcinogenic, or capable of causing cancer. One of the more dangerous chemicals a railroad worker is often exposed to is benzene.

Benzene is a hydrocarbon chemical commonly found in railroad products and materials. Benzene is classified as a known carcinogen by the Department of Health and Human Services, the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the Environmental Protection Agency, among others.

Its use has been regulated in the United States for over twenty years because of its link to cancer, but many railroad materials are still made with benzene. Railroad workers are exposed to such products on a regular basis, which increases their risk of cancers associated with benzene.

Another serious risk of cancer linked with railroad work is creosote. Creosote is also known as coal tar, and is used to coat railroad ties. Long-term exposure to creosote is associated with skin cancer.

It is especially difficult to make the connection between railroad cancer and exposure on the job because of the long period of time that the cancer remains dormant. Indeed, in many cases, symptoms of railroad cancer do not appear for years or even decades.

Not only does this make it difficult for cancer patients to connect their diagnosis with its potential cause, but also means that a patient may be at a later stage of cancer before being diagnosed, making treatment all the more difficult.

Common Cancers Associated with Railroad Work

Railroad workers exposed to dangerous chemicals on the job may be at risk of developing a number of serious cancers, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Lung cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Colon cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Throat cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Mesothelioma
• Multiple myeloma
• Leukemia

Filing Railroad FELA Claims After Cancer Diagnosis

According to a growing number of lawsuits, railroad companies whose workers have been exposed to dangerous chemicals and developed cancer may be in violation of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). Workers may be able to file railroad FELA claims against their employer.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with some form of cancer after railroad work, you may be able to file railroad FELA claims.

While filing railroad FELA claims cannot reverse the damage of cancer or bring a loved one back to life, it can help to offset the financial damages often incurred by medical expenses and lost wages.