Were you or someone you love diagnosed with cancer after exposure to harmful chemicals during railroad work? The FELA claims process may help you to recover damages to compensate for injuries.

Two former employees of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway filed lawsuits based on claims of overexposure to toxic materials on the job, leading them to develop dangerous cancers. BNSF Railway is one of the largest railroads, and its headquarters are in Fort Worth, Texas.

Toxins that workers may be exposed to include welding fumes, asbestos, and many other carcinogens. Those exposed to toxins on the railroad may be at risk of several different kinds of cancer, including lung cancer, kidney cancer, and leukemia, among others. These workers may participate in the FELA claims process.

The first step for these plaintiffs in the FELA claims process was to contact a lawyer who specializes in these kinds of cases. The lawsuits allege that, according to federal law, BNSF Railway had a legal duty to protect workers from exposure to harmful toxins in the workplace, as well as warn them of the risk.

Many may not be diagnosed with cancer for years or decades after the initial exposure. “Federal law guarantees railroad workers the right to seek compensation for workplace injuries, even when the disease develops years or decades after the employee worked for the railroad,” said one of the plaintiffs’ lawyers.

Hiring a lawyer with experience in the FELA claims process can help you to determine whether or not you have a valid legal claim, and to navigate the complexities of this litigation.

Railroad Work and Cancer

While safety regulations for railroad workers have improved over the decades, those who have worked on the railroad in recent years may still have been exposed to dangerous chemicals. Indeed, research is showing an ever-growing link between railroad work and cancer.

One of the chemicals railroad workers are frequently exposed to is benzene, a chemical often used in railroad products. Benzene is a known carcinogen, or a substance capable of causing cancer. Unfortunately, many products used on the railroad still use this dangerous chemical. Another serious risk of cancer after railroad work is creosote, or coal tar, which is used to coat railroad ties. Long-term exposure to creosote, as is common with railroad work, has been connected to the development of skin cancer.

Cancers Linked to Railroad Work

Workers may be at risk of a number of kinds of cancer after railroad work. The link between railroad work and cancer includes, but is not limited to:

• 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

The FELA Claims Process

According to lawsuits, railroad companies whose workers have been exposed to dangerous chemicals and developed cancer after railroad work may be in violation of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). The FELA claims process may be complicated, but hiring a lawyer who specializes in these cases can help.

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with some form of cancer after railroad work, you may be able to file a railroad worker lawsuit. While filing a railroad work and cancer 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 and lost wages.