Following a jury decision in September 2016, the number of railroad worker cancer lawsuits that have been filed have increased.

The lawsuit heard by a jury in Madison County, Illinois, awarded a total of $7.5 million to James B., a man who developed railroad worker cancer after being employed for decades in an industry where he was exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals, degreasing agents, lead, and creosote.

Of the settlement, $3 million was awarded to James for medical expenses, $1.5 million was awarded to him for disability, $1.3 million was awarded for decreased quality of life, $1 million was awarded for his pain and suffering and $700,000 was awarded for lost earnings.

In 2008, James was diagnosed with myeloid leukemia. He filed a lawsuit two years later accusing Union Pacific Railroad and Chicago & North Western Railway (CNW) for neglecting to provide him protective equipment during his employment.

Several other lawsuits have been filed against a variety of railroad companies in the last few months.

One of the lawsuits was filed by a widow by the name of Ruth who alleged her husband Marvin was exposed to carcinogenic materials that led him to be diagnosed with colon cancer, stomach cancer and ultimately led to his death in 2014.

Clarence M. stated in his lawsuit that he developed railroad worker cancer after being exposed to creosote and solar radiation for more than 40 years during his employment from 1968 to 2009.

Clarence claimed that the failure of his employer to provide protective equipment for him led him to develop basal cell carcinomas on his neck, head, face, and ears.

As more and more lawsuits are filed, it is likely that more of these stories will appear in media outlets, bringing further attention to railroad worker cancer diagnoses and sparking more lawsuits.

Causes of Railroad Worker Cancer

A number of chemicals and materials that railroad workers are exposed to during their regular work have been linked to cancer.

Benzene is one such chemical. As a product of crude oil, benzene is typically used to make other chemicals including lubricants, rubbers, detergents, and dyes.

Benzene is also used as a solvent—a chemical that dissolves or extracts other substances. It also used to be added to gasoline.

Benzene exposure has been linked to leukemia and in particular acute myeloid leukemia, as well as other blood-related cancers. It is also been linked to lung cancer, colon cancer, esophageal cancer, bladder cancer, rectal cancer, throat cancer, stomach cancer and other cancers.

Creosote is another chemical linked to railroad worker cancer. Creosote is a thick liquid that is formed when a high level of heat is used to treat coal, wood and plant matter.

In particular, coal tar creosote used in railroad applications has been linked to skin cancer, cancer of the scrotum and other types of cancers.

Asbestos is a naturally-occurring mineral that is also present in railroad work. Individuals who are exposed to asbestos and inhale the fibers may develop mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the lungs, as well as lung cancer.

Typically, these cancers take decades to develop after the exposure, and many individuals may not connect their cancer diagnosis with their former employment.