Railroad cancer is a serious concern for previous and current employees in the industry, due to the dangerous chemicals emitted in the work place.

There are currently work-related injury claims being filed against railroad companies,for allegedly failing to warn against potential railroad cancer and not giving workers proper safety equipment. The dangerous chemicals employees are exposed to include radioactive materials, benzene and asbestos, making occupational railroad cancer a serious risk.

Benzene is a dangerous chemical that is a byproduct of diesel fuel burning, which can be potentially inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Benzene is a known carcinogen and has been banned for over 20 years in the United States, but is still commonly used in conjunction with the railroad company.

According to a recent study, researchers observed 55,000 railroad workers between 1959 to 1996 and found a 40% increased risk for railroad cancer in employees who operated the trains.

Asbestos is also another material that is commonly used in the railroad industry, and has had many insulation and manufacturing uses for decades. Railroad workers could potentially be exposed to asbestos when working with sealing cement, gaskets, brake pads, braking lining, clutches, floor tiles, and much more. Asbestos fibers can either be inhaled or swallowed, leading to deadly forms of lung or stomach cancer respectively.

Railroad cancer types employees should be wary include, but are not limited to:

• Lung Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Bladder Cancer
• Colon Cancer
• Bone Cancer
• Leukemia
• Multiple Myeloma
• Mesothelioma
• Asbestos Lung Cancer
• Asbestosis

Overview of Railroad Cancer Allegations

If the railroad companies are found to be in violation of federal workplace safety regulations, they could be subject to work related damages.

Railroad companies could be in violation of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), under which employees can seek financial damages for the medical treatment needed for railroad cancer. FELA was enacted in 1908 to help railroad workers receive coverage for injuries that could result from working around dangerous chemicals.

According to one of the most recent railroad cancer claims on July 13, 2017, a Louisiana man filed legal action against the Illinois Central Railroad Company for his injuries. While working as a railroad carman and mechanic, he was regularly exposed to benzene and other hazardous chemicals that ultimately caused him kidney cancer.

The man ultimately alleges that his kidney cancer was caused by the lack of safety regulations in his work place, and that he had no way of protecting himself against the dangerous chemicals.

There have been many other similar cases alleging railroad cancer, which allegedly occurred due to exposure to benzene and asbestos.

Railroad workers that may be at risk for railroad cancer and can file a FELA lawsuit include:

• Engineers
• Conductors
• Switchman
• Carman
• Track Maintenance Workers
• Machinists
• Clerk Type Workers