Railroad Multiple Myeloma Lawsuit [2025 Guide]

Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow that disrupts immune function and normal blood cell production.

Studies have shown that industrial workers, including railroad personnel, face a significantly higher risk of developing this disease, particularly with prolonged occupational exposure to carcinogenic chemicals like benzene and organic solvents.

Railroad workers involved in fuel handling, solvent use, or maintenance tasks have regularly been exposed to benzene-containing products, degreasers such as TCE and other chlorinated solvents.

Each of these hazardous substances have been recognized as potential contributors to multiple myeloma.

Although diesel exhaust has not consistently shown a direct link to multiple myeloma in epidemiological reviews, the presence of benzene within diesel fumes and combustion byproducts remains a concern for bone marrow toxicity and blood cancers.

Experts have found that organic solvents used for decades in railroad shops, such as TCE, methylene chloride, and perchloroethylene, carry elevated risk in relation to multiple myeloma when exposure is frequent or cumulative.

Additionally, benzene’s role as a known carcinogen in the development of blood cancers is acknowledged by scientific literature and workplace health authorities.

Many exposed workers unknowingly handled these substances in poorly ventilated environments for years, unaware of the cumulative health risks.

Legal claims often focus on demonstrating that exposure to toxic chemicals during railroad work contributed to a later diagnosis of multiple myeloma, and that worker protection was insufficient.

Chemicals linked to increased risk of multiple myeloma in the railroad industry include:

• Benzene exposure from diesel fuel, solvents, degreasers, and creosote treatments—especially in enclosed shops or yard facilities
• Organic solvent exposure such as trichloroethylene (TCE), methylene chloride, and perchloroethylene used in cleaning, degreasing, or maintenance
• Fuel and lubricant handling involving crude oil derivatives where aromatic hydrocarbons likely present
• Pesticides and herbicides used in track vegetation control, sometimes delivered by railroad maintenance crews
• Combined exposures over long-term periods, which amplify bone marrow toxicity and carcinogenic impact

These exposure pathways illustrate how exposure to toxic chemicals in railroading can elevate the risk of plasma cell cancers like multiple myeloma, especially when legal claims focus on linking long-term job conditions to disease onset.

Legal action often involves documenting exposure history, chemical usage, employer practices, and expert medical testimony to establish causation.

Railroad Jobs Linked to an Increased Risk of Multiple Myeloma

Many job roles within the railroad industry have been associated with an increased risk of serious illnesses, including multiple myeloma.

Workers in these positions often encountered hazardous chemicals over long periods, frequently without adequate protective equipment or hazard communication.

Occupational exposure to toxic substances such as benzene, organic solvents, and degreasers was particularly common in maintenance yards, mechanical shops, and during field operations.

Tasks that involved diesel engines, solvent cleaning, or prolonged proximity to chemical-based materials contributed to the high-risk profile of these jobs.

In numerous railroad cancer cases, plaintiffs worked in job roles where toxic exposure was frequent, cumulative, and often undocumented.

Railroad employees who may have an increased risk of multiple myeloma include:

• Sheet Metal Workers – Often used solvent-based degreasers and were regularly exposed to metal fumes and coatings
• Carmen – Repaired and maintained train cars, frequently working with diesel engines, paints, and welding equipment
• Machinists – Operated in repair shops using industrial cleaners and lubricants that contained benzene or TCE
• Track Maintenance Workers – Applied herbicides and creosote-based preservatives to railroad ties and ballast
• Electricians – Used cleaners and solvents to maintain electrical components, sometimes in poorly ventilated spaces
• Locomotive Engineers – Spent extended hours in engine cabs breathing diesel exhaust and vaporized fuel emissions
• Conductors and Brakemen – Regularly around operating engines and train yards with little protection from fumes
• Signal Maintainers – Handled equipment lubricants and performed fieldwork near idling diesel locomotives
• Pipefitters and Plumbers – Dealt with underground infrastructure and cleaning agents with potential toxic exposure
• Painters and Coaters – Used industrial paints, thinners, and primers that often contained carcinogenic solvents
• Diesel Mechanics – Worked in close contact with fuel lines, exhaust systems, and solvent-based cleaning agents
• Laborers and General Shop Workers – Assigned a wide range of tasks involving fuels, degreasers, and pesticides
• Welders – Exposed to welding fumes and metal particulates that may contain toxic and carcinogenic compounds
• Bridge and Building Crews – Applied wood preservatives and handled chemically treated construction materials

Each of these job roles carries a history of occupational exposure to toxic substances, often without the protections or warnings required to prevent disease.

If you or a loved one worked in one of these positions and were later diagnosed with multiple myeloma, you may be eligible to pursue legal action.

Multiple myeloma is a serious and often life-altering blood cancer that begins in plasma cells—a type of white blood cell responsible for producing antibodies that support the immune system.

Unlike normal plasma cells, which help fight infection, cancerous plasma cells in multiple myeloma multiply uncontrollably and create monoclonal protein (M-protein), a substance that interferes with the production of healthy blood cells.

As myeloma cells crowd the bone marrow, they displace normal white blood cells and bone cells, weakening the immune system and disrupting essential body functions like oxygen transport and blood clotting.

This overgrowth also leads to lytic lesions in bones, causing chronic bone pain, kidney problems, fatigue, frequent infections, and anemia.

Over time, it can lead to severe skeletal damage, spinal compression fractures, and calcium imbalance.

A multiple myeloma diagnosis typically involves a combination of blood tests, urine tests, bone marrow biopsy, and imaging scans such as MRI or PET to detect M-proteins and assess damage.

These diagnostic tools help differentiate multiple myeloma from other plasma cell disorders, which may not be as aggressive.

Research by the National Cancer Institute and other major agencies has linked this disease to long-term occupational exposure to toxic chemicals, particularly benzene, pesticides, and solvents.

When healthy blood cells are consistently harmed by repeated chemical contact, the likelihood of developing multiple myeloma increases, especially in professions where exposure is prolonged and protective measures are insufficient.

For railroad workers, whose roles often involved chronic contact with industrial toxins, the cumulative risk of developing multiple myeloma is significantly elevated.

Multiple Myeloma Symptoms and Complications

Multiple myeloma occurs when abnormal plasma cells crowd the bone marrow and prevent the production of normal blood forming cells.

These cancerous cells not only suppress the immune system but also interfere with the production of healthy cells, red blood cells, and platelets.

Over time, the proliferation of plasma cell neoplasms leads to serious health issues, including bone damage, kidney dysfunction, and suppressed immune responses.

In early stages such as monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or smoldering myeloma, there may be no noticeable signs.

However, as the disease progresses to active multiple myeloma, symptoms become more severe and persistent.

Common Symptoms of Multiple Myeloma:

• Bone pain or fractures – Especially in the spine or ribs due to bone lesions and weakening of the surrounding bone.
• Fatigue and weakness – Caused by anemia due to insufficient healthy red blood cells.
• Frequent infections – Resulting from reduced antibody production and compromised immunity.
• Nausea or constipation – Often tied to elevated calcium levels from bone breakdown.
• Weight loss and appetite changes – Linked to disease progression and metabolic disruption.
• Numbness or tingling – A result of nerve compression or damage from bone deterioration.
• Mental fog or confusion – Frequently due to elevated calcium or impaired kidney function.
• Excessive thirst and urination – Reflecting kidney strain and calcium imbalance.

Potential Complications of Multiple Myeloma:

• Kidney failure – Triggered by high levels of abnormal antibody proteins filtering through the kidneys.
• Severe anemia – Caused by cancerous cells outnumbering normal blood forming cells.
• Hypercalcemia – High calcium levels in the blood from bone degradation.
• Recurrent bacterial infections – Due to impaired immune function.
• Fractures and spinal compression – Associated with aggressive bone lesions.
• **Reduced life expectancy – As a result of systemic organ damage and advanced disease.
• Genetic mutations – Some patients may develop additional chromosomal abnormalities as the disease evolves.
• Progression to other cancers – Including transformation into more aggressive forms of leukemia or lymphoma.

Multiple Myeloma Treatment Options

Multiple myeloma is typically incurable but treatable.

Treating multiple myeloma requires a multifaceted approach aimed at controlling the disease, relieving symptoms, and improving quality of life.

The type and combination of treatments depend on the patient’s overall health, stage of disease, and specific genetic markers.

Some therapies aim to slow or stop the growth of abnormal plasma cells, while others support the body’s ability to recover and resist infection.

Because multiple myeloma is a chronic condition for many, treatment may occur in phases and require periodic adjustments.

Common treatment options for multiple myeloma include:

• Chemotherapy – Uses drugs to kill cancer cells or stop them from dividing, often as part of initial or high-dose therapy.
• Targeted therapy – Blocks specific molecules involved in myeloma cell growth, such as proteasome inhibitors or monoclonal antibodies.
• Immunotherapy – Stimulates the immune system to identify and attack myeloma cells, including CAR T-cell therapies or checkpoint inhibitors.
• Stem cell transplant – Replaces damaged bone marrow after intensive chemotherapy, usually with the patient’s own stem cells.
• Radiation therapy – Used to shrink localized tumors or treat areas of bone pain and damage.
• Corticosteroids – Help control inflammation, kill cancer cells, and improve the effects of other treatments.
• Bisphosphonates – Strengthen bones and reduce bone pain or fractures.
• Supportive care – Includes antibiotics, antivirals, transfusions, and therapies to manage fatigue, pain, and complications.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma after years of working in the railroad industry, you may qualify to file a railroad multiple myeloma lawsuit.

Railroad workers have historically been exposed to toxic substances like diesel exhaust, solvents, benzene, and degreasing agents – chemicals that have been scientifically linked to an increased risk of blood cancers.

These exposures often occurred without proper protective equipment or warnings from railroad employers.

If your diagnosis can be connected to prolonged occupational exposure, you may have grounds for legal action under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

FELA allows injured railroad workers to pursue compensation when their illness or injury is caused by employer negligence.

This includes failing to implement adequate safety measures, failing to remove or warn about toxic hazards, or allowing regular exposure to cancer-causing chemicals.

Eligibility will depend on your work history, exposure timeline, and medical documentation linking your cancer to your job.

An experienced attorney can review your case, help you understand the legal process for railroad cancer lawsuits, and advocate for compensation on your behalf.

Gathering Evidence for a Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit

Gathering strong evidence is essential when pursuing a railroad workers cancer lawsuit.

Proving a connection between your cancer diagnosis and occupational exposure to toxic substances requires detailed documentation.

This may include medical records, work history, and proof of exposure to known carcinogens like diesel exhaust or benzene.

Legal teams can help compile, preserve, and present this evidence effectively to support your claim.

Types of evidence include:

• Medical records showing your cancer diagnosis and treatment.
• Employment history documenting job roles, durations, and work environments.
• Material safety data sheets (MSDS) for chemicals used on the job.
• Testimony from coworkers who experienced similar exposures.
• Expert medical opinions linking the cancer to known carcinogens.
• OSHA or FELA violation reports filed against the employer.
• Training records indicating lack of proper safety instruction.

Damages in Railroad Cancer Claims

Victims of occupational cancer in the railroad industry may be entitled to seek compensation for the wide range of physical, emotional, and financial consequences tied to their illness.

These damages reflect both the economic burden of cancer treatment and the personal toll it takes on daily life.

Railroad cancer claims pursued under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) often allow for broader types of compensation compared to standard workers’ comp cases.

The severity of the diagnosis, the duration of exposure, and the employer’s role in failing to prevent harm are all considered.

Common types of damages in railroad cancer claims include:

• Medical expenses for diagnostics, treatments, medications, and long-term care.
• Lost wages and future earning capacity due to missed work or inability to return to a prior role.
• Pain and suffering related to the illness, treatment side effects, and physical limitations.
• Emotional distress including anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Loss of consortium for the impact the illness has on a spouse or family relationships.
• Funeral and burial costs in wrongful death cases.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer or another occupational illness due to workplace exposures in the railroad industry, Gianaris Trial Lawyers is ready to help.

Our firm is dedicated to representing injured railroad workers and their families with the care, experience, and determination these cases demand.

We understand the devastating impact these diagnoses can have, and we know how to hold railroad employers accountable.

Reach out to us today to meet our experienced railroad cancer lawyers today to discuss your legal options.

We offer free, confidential consultations and take pride in guiding our clients through every step of the process.

You don’t have to face this alone.

Our legal team is here to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.