FELA cancer claims have been filed by former railroad employees alleging they were exposed to toxic substances while on the job. These FELA cancer claims allege the railroad companies either knew or should have known about the potential danger their employees were in, but failed to disclose any warnings or provide any protective equipment.

FELA cancer claims are being filed against railroad companies alleging the companies failed to provide a safe work environment for its employees. FELA, the Federal Employers Liability Act, was passed by Congress in 1908 to help railroad workers claim compensation for injuries they sustained while on the job. This act protects the rights of railroad workers and gives them legal recourse if needed, allowing workers to file complaints directly against the company if the railroad worker can prove negligence.

Overview of Potential Occupational Cancers

Working in the railroad industry can be a dangerous occupation, surrounded by large compartment cars and inhaling toxic substances on a daily basis.

Many railroad workers often do not realize they are exposed to toxic substances while performing their occupational duties, often learning of the danger after a cancer diagnosis. Workers who may be at risk from railroad occupational cancers include but are not limited to:

• Engineers
• Conductors
• Switchman
• Carman
• Track Maintenance
• Machinists
• Clerk type workers

There are several different toxins railroad workers may be exposed to while on the job including benzene, asbestos, creosote, and radioactive materials. Exposure to each of these substances can lead to cancer development, which often means aggressive chemotherapy treatment and shortened life expectancies.

Asbestos was widely used in railroads and other industries through much of the 20th century. While its use has been significantly restricted, it still finds application in railroad work.

Although the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has placed strict limitations on the substance, asbestos exposure remains a prominent concern in the railroad industry. According to one study, from 1990 to 1999 the railroad industry was the fourth most frequently mentioned industry on death certificates of people over 15 years old who died from asbestosis.

Benzene, which is present in diesel exhaust, is another dangerous chemical often found in railroad yards. Similar to asbestos, benzene is a known carcinogen and was utilized for degreasing locomotives. Benzene is especially dangerous because it can be absorbed through the skin, and does not have to be inhaled to put workers at risk.

In addition, railroad industry workers are often exposed to radioactive materials while on the job due to nuclear weapons and materials being occasionally transported. Each of these substances can cause occupational cancers including but not limited to:

• Bladder Cancer
• Colon Cancer
• Esophageal Cancer
• Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Kidney Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Mesothelioma
• Multiple Myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Laryngeal Cancer
• Rectal Cancer
• Stomach Cancer
• Throat Cancer
• Leukemia
• Scrotum Cancer
• Bone Cancer

Overall, FELA cancer claims allege the railroad companies did not do enough in preventing their workers from being exposed to toxic substances and failed to provide a safe work environment. Railroad workers who developed cancer at some point during or after their occupation may be eligible for legal action.