Because working on the railroad is linked with a number of toxic chemicals like benzene, it may expose railroad workers to a substantial benzene cancer risk.

Benzene is a dangerous hydrocarbon chemical. It is classified as a known carcinogen, or substance capable of causing cancer, by the Department of Health and Human Services, the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The U.S. banned many uses of benzene over twenty years ago due to its cancer risk. But many railroad products still contain this dangerous chemical, exposing workers to a benzene cancer risk every day. Railroad workers may be exposed to benzene by inhaling diesel fumes, a substance they may inhale large amounts of each day while working.

Benzene cancer risk can lead to a number of diseases. Cancers that have been linked with benzene exposure include lung, bladder, kidney, colon, stomach, rectal, throat, esophageal, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, mesothelioma, multiple myeloma, leukemia, and others.

Benzene is not the only serious chemical risk linked with railroad work. Creosote, a term for coal tar, is a chemical used to coat railroad ties. Exposure to creosote is a known cause of skin cancer. While lengthy exposure to creosote is not a risk for most people, railroad workers are exposed to such railroad ties on a daily basis.

Federal agencies have taken steps to avoid possible creosote risks, recommending that companies avoid using lumber coated with the chemical in residential construction and private landscaping due to safety concerns. Some states even ban nonindustrial use of creosote.

Filing a Benzene Cancer Risk Lawsuit

Many railroad workers who develop cancer do not know of the cancer risk they may have been exposed to in their job. They may think their cancer was caused by something other than their work environment and safety hazards. It is entirely possible, however, that the cancer was caused because of exposure to hazardous chemicals while on the job.

Railroad companies whose workers developed cancer after being exposed to dangerous chemicals may be liable under the Federal Employers Liability Act, or FELA. FELA allows such employees to seek financial compensation for their injuries and their pain and suffering.

If you or someone you love suffered from benzene exposure as a railroad worker, you may be able to file a railroad worker lawsuit. While filing a benzene cancer risk lawsuit cannot reverse the damage of dangerous cancer or bring a loved one back to life, it can help to offset the financial damages often incurred by medical expenses.