An investigation into instances of creosote cancer among railroad workers is currently examining potential claims by railroad workers who may have been exposed to dangerous chemicals and substances including creosote.

People working in certain industries have a higher risk of being exposed to possible carcinogens, which is a leading reason why many family members may get concerned when a loved one shows signs of cancer after that person was employed as a railroad worker for many years.

The risk of creosote cancer for railroad workers tends to be higher than in other lines of work. The growing numbers of cases involving railroad creosote cancer, as well as cancer caused by benzene, has brought increasing awareness to this population.

Railroad workers may be exposed to benzene, a known carcinogen, which was banned more than two decades ago in the United States. Unfortunately, however, there are plenty of railroad products that still contain benzene or creosote. Railroad workers who are exposed could ultimately develop creosote cancer and suffer catastrophic side effects.

Creosote cancer may take the form of cancers effecting the rectum, mesothelioma, the lungs, kidneys, colon, bladder, the throat, stomach and more. There is strong evidence that creosote cancer may affect the scrotum or the skin. It may also be associated with those employees who work on locomotives. Chemical solvents can also be linked to a variety of different brain diseases. Creosote and other chemical ingredients have been tied to a number of different side effects, and continuous exposure over a period of time may ultimately develop into cancer.

A person might not even realize that their cancer was caused by exposure on the job, but those railroad workers may be eligible to seek compensation under federal law. The Federal Employers Liability Act allows those employees who may have been exposed to substances that ultimately led to creosote cancer, to seek financial compensation.

These employees who worked in unsafe environments do not have to incur financial costs to participate in this program.

Anyone who has been working in the railroad environment for more than five years and may have been exposed in numerous formats to creosote and other serious problems may be eligible to participate in a class action investigation.

A growing number of railroad workers who have not worked in that capacity in many years are now receiving a diagnosis of creosote cancer. They may even be getting an impression that this is a result of other lifestyle choices or family history.

However, it is well worth the effort for someone who has been diagnosed with creosote cancer to investigate their legal options with a knowledgeable FELA attorney. An unsafe working environment may have presented a high risk of development of creosote cancer, which puts the railroad worker at risk of serious pain and suffering, treatments and costly medical care.