Railroad Black Lung Lawsuit [2025 Guide]

While black lung disease (coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, or CWP) is most commonly diagnosed among underground coal miners, the railroad industry (particularly workers involved in the transportation of coal) may also face occupational exposures that significantly elevate their risk.

Coal dust can generate hazardous particulate matter when loaded, transported, dumped, or cleaned in enclosed or semi-enclosed rail cars, and it may accumulate in poorly ventilated engine compartments and rail yards.

Even short‑term exposure in confined spaces with high concentrations of coal dust can contribute to cumulative lung damage over time.

Railroad employees who regularly handled coal or worked near trains carrying coal are subject to prolonged exposure, which can cause lung inflammation, fibrosis, and ultimately black lung disease.

These dangerous substances trigger the same pathophysiology as seen in miners, including chronic inflammation and lung scarring as macrophages engulf coal particles that penetrate deep into the bronchioles

Although black lung among railroad workers is rare, studies show that workers at ports and rail facilities who handle coal frequently exhibit radiographic evidence of pneumoconiosis, and advocates have called for broader screening protocols to identify affected individuals.

Because coal dust exposure can continue even after leaving the job, incidence may increase over time, with symptoms like shortness of breath and chest tightness often emerging years later.

These cases may support railroad cancer litigation or FELA occupational illness claims, especially when coal transport and rail yard duties involved repeated contact with coal dust.

Families should also investigate whether railroad companies warned workers about risks or provided adequate protections.

Workers diagnosed with black lung after railroad employment may have grounds to pursue legal action, including compensation under FELA for medical expenses, lost income, and other damages.

Specific scenarios in which railroad workers may be exposed to coal dust include:

• Loading and Unloading Coal Trains – Workers stationed at terminals or yards where coal is actively loaded or offloaded may inhale concentrated coal dust clouds released during the dumping process.
• Cleaning Coal Rail Cars – Employees assigned to clean or maintain coal-hauling cars often disturb residual coal dust trapped in corners, joints, or liners, creating airborne particulates.
• Inspecting or Repairing Coal Hoppers – Carmen, inspectors, and maintenance workers may be exposed to coal dust when examining or welding on cars previously used to haul coal, especially if proper ventilation or dust suppression is lacking.
• Operating Locomotives on Coal Routes – Engineers and conductors on trains transporting coal may encounter persistent low-level dust from uncovered cars, particularly when windows or ventilation systems pull in external air from coal dust-laden routes.
• Working in Rail Yards Adjacent to Coal Terminals – Yard workers and flaggers stationed near stockpiles or staging areas may be exposed to ambient dust stirred up by wind, equipment, or passing trains.
• Maintenance of Way (MOW) Near Coal Facilities – Track workers performing repairs or inspections on lines serving coal terminals may disturb coal-contaminated ballast or breathe in residual dust along the right-of-way.

Railroad Jobs at an Increased Risk of Black Lung and Coal Dust Exposure

Railroad workers involved in the transportation, handling, and maintenance of coal shipments may face a heightened risk of inhaling harmful coal dust over time.

While black lung disease (more formally known as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis) is more commonly associated with underground miners, certain railroad job roles regularly involve significant exposure to coal dust during loading, transit, and maintenance.

These exposures may be cumulative and often occur in confined or poorly ventilated spaces, especially in yards, shops, or along active coal routes.

Workers may not always be provided with proper protective equipment, nor adequately warned of the potential long-term respiratory risks associated with repeated contact with coal dust.

As a result, railroad workers in specific positions may face an elevated risk of developing serious lung disease after years of occupational exposure.

Railroad job roles with potential coal dust exposure risks include:

• Carmen and Car Inspectors – Inspect and repair coal hopper cars, often working in confined areas with residual coal dust buildup.
• Yard Workers and Switchmen – Spend long hours near coal terminals, stockpiles, or on coal-carrying routes where dust disperses from open cars.
• Locomotive Engineers and Conductors – Operate trains carrying uncovered coal loads, potentially inhaling airborne particles pulled into the cab during transit.
• Maintenance-of-Way (MOW) Crews – Perform track maintenance on routes heavily trafficked by coal shipments, disturbing coal-contaminated ballast and materials.
• Brake Mechanics and Repair Shop Workers – Work inside enclosed facilities or pits where residual coal dust from train cars may accumulate in the air and on surfaces.
• Track Laborers at Coal-Handling Terminals – Regularly operate heavy equipment or conduct inspections in areas with persistent coal dust contamination.
• Cleaning and Sanitation Crews – Tasked with removing coal residue from railcars and facility floors without appropriate respiratory protection.

Black lung disease, also known as coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP), is a chronic and incurable lung condition caused by the inhalation of coal dust particles over time.

It primarily affects workers in industries with prolonged or repeated exposure to airborne coal dust, most notably coal mining and coal transportation sectors, including segments of the railroad industry.

When coal dust is inhaled, it accumulates in the lungs and is not easily cleared by the body, leading to inflammation, scarring (fibrosis), and long-term respiratory dysfunction.

There are two main types of black lung disease: simple CWP, which causes minor symptoms and lung abnormalities, and complicated CWP (also called progressive massive fibrosis), which results in severe scarring, extensive lung damage, and significant impairment of lung function.

Both forms can cause coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and reduced exercise tolerance.

Over time, black lung disease can progress even without continued exposure, placing affected workers at risk of permanent disability or death.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have documented a resurgence of black lung cases in recent decades, particularly in regions with intensive coal handling.

Although traditionally associated with miners, railroad workers involved in the transport, loading, maintenance, and cleanup of coal shipments may also develop this disease, especially if they worked around open coal cars, dusty terminals, or lacked adequate respiratory protection.

Diagnosis typically involves chest X-rays, pulmonary function tests, and occupational history reviews, often followed by CT scans to evaluate disease severity.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for black lung disease, and treatment is generally focused on symptom management, oxygen therapy, and preventing further exposure.

In advanced cases, some patients may require lung transplantation.

Given the long latency period (often 10 to 20 years after exposure) many railroad workers are unaware they have the disease until significant damage has occurred.

Symptoms and Complications of Black Lung Disease

Black lung disease develops gradually as coal dust particles accumulate in the lungs due to long-term workplace exposures.

The symptoms often appear years after initial exposure, and many injured workers may mistake them for general aging or smoking-related conditions.

However, black lung has distinct clinical features, particularly when exposure has been prolonged and occurred without proper respiratory protection.

Common Symptoms of Black Lung Disease:

• Chronic cough – often referred to as “miner’s cough,” persistent and dry in early stages.
• Shortness of breath – especially during physical exertion, worsening as the disease progresses.
• Chest tightness or pain – due to inflammation and scarring in lung tissues.
• Fatigue and weakness – as oxygen levels decline.
• Phlegm production – especially in more advanced stages or when co-infection is present.
• Wheezing or noisy breathing – associated with narrowed airways and poor airflow.
• Frequent respiratory infections – such as bronchitis or pneumonia due to weakened lung defense.

While black lung disease is not a form of cancer, it may exist alongside or contribute to the development of other serious conditions triggered by other dangerous substances encountered in rail work.

It is important to distinguish black lung disease from lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD):

• Lung cancer often results from exposure to carcinogens like diesel exhaust, asbestos, or silica, and presents with nodules, hemoptysis (coughing blood), and systemic signs of malignancy.
• COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, causes irreversible airflow limitation and is most often related to smoking or toxic industrial dusts and fumes.

Potential Complications of Black Lung Disease:

• Progressive massive fibrosis (PMF) – advanced scarring that significantly reduces lung capacity.
• Respiratory failure – due to chronic hypoxia and declining lung function.
• Pulmonary hypertension – high blood pressure in the lungs caused by scarring and inflammation.
• Cor pulmonale – right-sided heart failure stemming from lung disease.
• Decreased quality of life – inability to work, exercise, or perform daily tasks.
• Increased risk of infections – including tuberculosis and recurrent pneumonia.
• Co-diagnosis with cancer or COPD – increasing severity and complexity of treatment.

These complications often emerge after a cancer diagnosis, making timely evaluation critical for anyone with a railroad work history and respiratory issues.

Medical Treatment of Black Lung Disease

Medical treatment for black lung disease focuses on managing symptoms and slowing the progression of lung damage, as there is no known cure for the condition.

Physicians often recommend bronchodilators to help open airways and make breathing easier, especially in moderate to severe cases.

Inhaled corticosteroids or oral medications may also be prescribed to reduce inflammation in the lungs.

For individuals with advanced disease or low oxygen levels, supplemental oxygen therapy can improve quality of life and help prevent complications like pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs are commonly used to support respiratory function and stamina through supervised exercise and education.

In cases of severe lung damage, lung transplantation may be considered, although this is rare and highly selective.

Qualifying for a Railroad Black Lung Lawsuit involves proving that prolonged coal dust exposure or related particulates from railroad operations contributed directly to your respiratory condition.

Black lung disease is different than lung cancer or chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), though all three may stem from long-term workplace exposure to harmful airborne materials.

Many railroad workers were regularly exposed to coal dust, diesel particulates, and railroad bed exhaust without being warned of the potential risks by their railroad employers.

Under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), injured railroad workers may be eligible to seek compensation for occupational illnesses caused by negligence or unsafe working conditions.

This includes failure to provide proper protective equipment, poor ventilation in confined workspaces, or a lack of dust mitigation during the transportation of coal and other bulk materials.

Filing a FELA claim is a complex process that often requires medical evidence, employment history, and documentation of exposure.

Workers diagnosed with pneumoconiosis or similar occupational respiratory conditions should consult with an experienced attorney to evaluate their eligibility.

Gianaris Trial Lawyers helps workers and their families through the legal process to pursue justice and hold negligent railroad companies accountable.

Gathering Evidence for a Railroad Black Lung Claim

Strong evidence is essential to building a successful Railroad Black Lung claim under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

Workers must demonstrate that their condition resulted from prolonged exposure to coal dust or related substances during their railroad employment.

Gianaris Trial Lawyers can help identify, collect, and organize the evidence needed to support a claim, including connecting clients with trusted medical experts and investigators.

Their team works closely with affected workers and families to document the full scope of exposure and damages.

Evidence in a Railroad Black Lung claim may include:

• Employment Records – Proof of job roles, duration of employment, employment status, and work assignments involving coal transport or maintenance.
• Medical Records – Diagnosis of black lung disease or pneumoconiosis, chest X-rays, CT scans, pulmonary function tests, and specialist reports.
• Exposure History – Documentation of work in environments with visible coal dust, poor ventilation, or diesel exhaust buildup.
• Witness Testimony – Statements from coworkers or supervisors confirming unsafe conditions or regular coal dust exposure.
• Protective Equipment Logs – Evidence showing lack of or inadequate respiratory protection.
• Training or Safety Records – Proof that workers were not properly warned about the dangers of coal dust or other harmful substances.
• Expert Opinions – Medical or occupational health experts linking the worker’s condition to railroad exposures.
• Photographs or Site Documentation – Visual proof of conditions in rail yards, maintenance facilities, or loading zones where coal was handled.

Damages in Railroad Black Lung Cases

Securing fair compensation in a Railroad Black Lung case requires proving not only the medical impact of the disease but also its long-term effects on a worker’s life and livelihood.

Because black lung is a progressive condition, damages often extend beyond immediate health issues and into future financial hardship, loss of quality of life, and emotional suffering.

Under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), railroad workers have the right to pursue compensation directly from negligent railroad employers who failed to provide a safe working environment.

Gianaris Trial Lawyers help clients calculate and pursue the full range of damages they are legally entitled to recover.

Potential damages in a Railroad Black Lung case may include:

• Medical Expenses – Costs for diagnosis, respiratory therapy, oxygen treatment, medications, and long-term pulmonary care.
• Lost Wages – Compensation for time off work, reduced hours, or permanent disability caused by black lung disease.
• Future Earnings Loss – Economic losses tied to reduced earning potential or forced early retirement due to lung impairment.
• Pain and Suffering – Non-economic damages related to chronic shortness of breath, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and reduced physical ability.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life – Damages for the inability to perform daily tasks or participate in activities once enjoyed.
• Emotional Distress – Anxiety, depression, and psychological effects of a long-term occupational illness.
• Wrongful Death Damages – In fatal cases, surviving family members may seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of consortium, and future support.
• Punitive Damages – In some cases, when gross negligence can be proven, additional damages may be awarded to punish the railroad employer.

Railroad workers exposed to hazardous conditions deserve representation from a legal team that understands the unique challenges of occupational illness claims.

At Gianaris Trial Lawyers, we focus on helping injured railroad employees and their families seek justice under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) for diseases caused by long-term workplace exposures.

Whether you’re facing a diagnosis like black lung, mesothelioma, lung cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, or another serious illness linked to your time in the railroad industry, our attorneys are prepared to fight for full and fair compensation.

Contact Gianaris Trial Lawyers today to speak with experienced railroad injury attorneys who will help you gather evidence, understand your legal rights, and build a strong case.

Your consultation is free, and you won’t pay unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

You can also use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify for a railroad black lung or railroad cancer lawsuit.