Tamara Burns  |  August 21, 2017

Category: Labor & Employment

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power morcellators linked to endometrial cancerRailroad workers are employed in an industry where they have a greater likelihood of being exposed to chemicals that can cause cancer and other situations that may be carcinogenic.

Because some of these cancers take a while to develop, railroad workers may not necessarily connect their employment to their health condition. However, the cancer risk for railroad workers is great and comes from a number of sources.

Factors Contributing to Cancer Risk for Railroad Workers

In the railroad industry, three main categories are seen as contributors to an increased cancer risk for railroad workers. These include electromagnetic field exposure, asbestos exposure and chemical exposure.

Electromagnetic field exposure is a cancer risk for railroad workers primarily working in the cabs of trains. In a train cab, there are gauges, radio equipment, computers, electronic motors and other electrical technologies that emit an electromagnetic field. The emissions in this type of work is much greater than what your average citizen would face.

Electromagnetic exposure has specifically been linked to myeloid leukemia as well as Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Both of these cancers involve the blood. However, other cancers may also be linked to electromagnetic exposure.

Asbestos exposure is another cancer risk for railroad workers. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that contains fibers which can be inhaled. Once in the body, these fibers can lead to mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs which is almost exclusively linked to asbestos exposure, lung cancer, and other cancers. Cancers from asbestos exposure typically take 20 to 50 years or more to develop.

Chemical exposure is also a risk for railroad workers. In particular, creosote and benzene are two carcinogenic chemicals that are extensively used in the railroad industry. Creosote is derived from coal that has been heat-treated. It is also derived from heat-treated wood or plants. Creosote is a liquid byproduct and it has been linked with cancer of the skin, scrotum and other types of cancer.

Benzene is a crude oil product that is often used to make other chemicals. Many solvents are made with benzene, as are ties, lubricants, detergents and rubber products. Benzene exposure is particularly linked to myeloid leukemia, and it has also been linked with esophageal cancer, bladder cancer, stomach cancer, lung cancer, throat cancer and rectal cancer.

Filing a Lawsuit over Railroad Worker Cancer

If you or a loved one developed cancer and was not properly warned of the cancer risk for railroad workers and/or had an employer that failed to have proper safety procedures in place to reduce the risk, you may be entitled to legal compensation for your injury.

Railroad workers who were employed more than five years in the industry who were diagnosed with cancer between the years of 2013 and 2016 may be eligible to file a lawsuit under the provisions of the Federal Employers Liability Act, or FELA. Out-of-pocket legal costs are not required for workers to participate in such lawsuits seeking compensation for having worked in an unsafe environment.

Do YOU have a legal claim? Fill out the form on this page now for a free, immediate, and confidential case evaluation. The attorneys who work with Top Class Actions will contact you if you qualify to let you know if an individual railroad worker cancer lawsuit or class action lawsuit is best for you. [In general, railroad worker cancer lawsuits are filed individually by each plaintiff and are not class actions.] Hurry — statutes of limitations may apply.

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