Railroad Blood Cancer Lawsuit [2025 Update] | File A Claim

For decades, railroad employees have faced daily contact with dangerous chemicals without proper safety precautions.

These toxic exposures occurred in locomotive cabs, switching yards, and repair shops where fuels, degreasers, and solvents were a routine part of the job.

Scientific research shows that long-term exposure to substances such as benzene, diesel exhaust, and trichloroethylene can damage bone marrow and blood-forming cells, causing cancer of the blood and immune system.

Despite growing evidence of harm, many railroad companies failed to warn workers about the risks, leaving employees with an elevated cancer risk years after the exposures occurred.

Types of blood cancer commonly linked to railroad work include:

• Leukemia (especially Acute Myeloid Leukemia, AML): Strongly associated with benzene exposure in fuels and diesel exhaust; results from damage to bone marrow cells after years of significant exposure.
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL): Linked to trichloroethylene (TCE), herbicides, and diesel-related chemicals; develops in lymphatic tissues and often tied to long-term exposure.
• Hodgkin Lymphoma: Less common but reported among railroad workers; linked to solvent exposure and immune system disruption from chronic toxic contact.
• Multiple Myeloma: Associated with prolonged exposure to benzene and certain hydrocarbons; affects plasma cells and weakens the body’s ability to fight infection.
• Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS): Considered an occupational illness tied to chronic benzene exposure; may progress to leukemia after years of working around fuels and solvents.

The railroad industry has created environments where significant exposure was unavoidable, from workers breathing in diesel fumes to mechanics handling degreasers daily without protective equipment.

Over time, these exposures weakened immune systems, disrupted bone marrow, and increased the likelihood of cancer diagnoses that appear decades later.

Blood cancers in railroad workers are not random.

They reflect a pattern of toxic contact that was preventable if rail companies had acted sooner to protect and warn workers.

By connecting the history of occupational illness to the chemicals used in rail operations, victims and their families can show that employment conditions directly contributed to the development of life-altering diseases.

Scientific Research Supporting Blood Cancer Claims in Railroad Workers

The most persuasive science in railroad blood-cancer cases centers on benzene (in fuels, parts-washing, and as a combustion component), with additional support for trichloroethylene (TCE) used historically as a degreaser.

Authoritative agencies classify benzene as a known human carcinogen that causes leukemia, and regulatory materials document marrow toxicity and medical-surveillance requirements: evidence that hazards were foreseeable and controllable.

Diesel exhaust is the dominant lung cancer risk in rail cohorts; for leukemia, recent pooled cohort analyses judge the association with diesel itself as not well established, which is why benzene and certain solvents are the primary exposure theories in blood-cancer claims.

Studies and literature on blood cancer and occupational exposures include the following:

• IARC Monographs (Vol. 120, 2018) – Benzene: Confirms Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans) with sufficient evidence for leukemia in humans, supported by animal and mechanistic data. Use as the cornerstone classification for benzene in rail settings.
• Lan et al., Science (2004) – Hematotoxicity at low levels: Demonstrated bone-marrow and blood-cell toxicity at sub-ppm to tens-of-ppm benzene, establishing a biologic bridge from exposure to leukemogenesis.
• Hayes/Yin et al., JNCI (1997) – Chinese benzene cohort: Large retrospective cohort with dose–response increases in hematologic neoplasms as cumulative benzene exposure rose.
• Vermeulen/Linet/Lan et al., JNCI (2019) – Case-cohort update (110,631 workers): Found exposure–response for MDS/AML and evaluated timing/age patterns of risk; strengthens causal links beyond AML to MDS. Open-access summary available.
• OSHA Benzene Standard (29 CFR 1910.1028 & App. C): Requires monitoring and medical surveillance; recognizes benzene’s capacity to cause aplastic anemia and leukemia, probative on notice and duty to protect.
• Diesel exhaust & leukemia (2023 cohort meta-analysis): Concludes the leukemia link to diesel exhaust is not well established, guiding strategy to emphasize benzene/solvent pathways rather than diesel particulate per se.
• U.S. railroad diesel cohorts (Garshick/Laden et al.): Show elevated lung-cancer mortality in diesel-exposed operating crafts, quantifying intense, chronic exposure typical of legacy rail eras; useful context for reconstructing total inhalation burden alongside benzene.

Railroad Jobs at Risk for Exposure to Dangerous Substances Linked to Blood Cancer

Throughout the history of the railroad industry, certain jobs placed workers in direct contact with dangerous substances known to damage bone marrow and blood cells.

In many cases, these exposures occurred daily, creating a pattern of long-term exposure that significantly raised the chance of developing leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma.

Workers often handled fuels, solvents, and degreasers without protective gear, leaving them with a heightened cancer risk that could have been reduced if companies had acted to warn workers.

Affected workers in both the rail yards and the repair shops are consistently documented as having the highest levels of toxic exposures.

These positions highlight how the structure of the railroad industry created unavoidable risks for many employees.

Railroad employees frequently exposed to toxic chemicals include:

• Engineers and conductors spent long shifts in locomotive cabs filled with diesel exhaust and fuel vapors
• Machinists operated in shops using solvents, degreasers, and lubricants with benzene content
• Pipefitters and boilermakers worked with cleaning agents and fuels that produced benzene exposure
• Car repairmen regularly handled adhesives, paints, and degreasing solutions
• Track maintenance crews exposed to herbicides, creosote-treated ties, and diesel fumes from equipment
• Yard workers and switchmen faced constant inhalation of diesel exhaust during train assembly operations
• Sheet metal workers frequently welded, cut, and fabricated parts while breathing in fumes containing metals and solvents tied to blood cancers

Railroad occupational exposure was not limited to one role, and many employees were regularly exposed to multiple toxins over the course of their careers.

This overlapping chemical burden greatly increased the chance of developing cancer years or even decades after active railroad service ended.

Can I File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit if My Loved One Passed Away of Blood Cancer?

Yes, family members may be able to bring a wrongful death claim if a loved one developed blood cancer due to toxic exposures while working for a railroad employer.

These lawsuits recognize that cancer often shortens a worker’s life expectancy, leaving families with financial and emotional losses.

Under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), survivors can pursue claims to obtain compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, and loss of support.

Spouses, children, or other dependents are generally eligible to file, depending on the circumstances.

A wrongful death lawsuit also holds the railroad accountable for failing to protect workers from preventable hazards.

For many families, this type of claim provides both financial security and acknowledgment of the harm caused by unsafe railroad conditions.

Blood cancer is a group of diseases that begin when abnormal cells in the bone marrow or lymphatic system grow uncontrollably, interfering with the body’s ability to produce healthy blood cells.

These cancers typically affect white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets, disrupting normal immune function and blood production.

Unlike solid tumors, blood cancers circulate through the bloodstream or lymphatic system, making them more difficult to contain in a single area.

The three main categories are leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma, but each has unique subtypes with different behaviors and treatment approaches.

Leukemia often starts in the bone marrow and floods the blood with immature cells that cannot fight infection.

Lymphomas develop in lymph nodes or lymphatic tissues, where abnormal lymphocytes multiply and crowd out healthy cells.

Multiple myeloma targets plasma cells, reducing the body’s ability to produce effective antibodies.

Because these diseases affect vital blood and immune functions, they can progress quickly if not diagnosed and treated.

Understanding the different types of blood cancer is essential for determining proper medical care and exploring potential connections to occupational exposures in high-risk industries like railroads.

Symptoms and Complications of the Different Types of Blood Cancer

Blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma each affect the body in distinct ways, but they often share overlapping warning signs.

Because these illnesses originate in the bone marrow, blood, or lymphatic system, they disrupt normal immune and circulatory function, leading to a wide range of systemic problems.

Early stages may be subtle, with symptoms that resemble common illnesses like the flu or chronic fatigue, which can delay diagnosis.

As the disease advances, abnormal cells crowd out healthy ones, resulting in weakened immunity, poor oxygen delivery, and abnormal bleeding or clotting.

Certain blood cancers, like acute leukemias, may progress quickly and demand urgent medical attention, while others, such as some lymphomas, can develop more slowly.

Patients may also experience complications not only from the disease itself but also from treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or bone marrow transplantation.

Common symptoms of blood cancers include:

• Persistent fatigue and weakness not improved by rest
• Unexplained fevers or night sweats
• Frequent or severe infections due to weakened immunity
• Easy bruising or unusual bleeding from gums or nose
• Swollen lymph nodes, often painless, in the neck, armpits, or groin
• Bone pain or tenderness, especially in multiple myeloma
• Unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
• Shortness of breath or pale skin from anemia

Blood cancers can alter nearly every aspect of a person’s health, from energy levels and immunity to bone integrity and circulation.

These diseases often require lifelong monitoring because remission may not always mean cure, and relapse is a well-documented risk.

Treatments themselves may create additional burdens, including chronic fatigue, organ stress, and immune suppression.

For railroad workers and families, documenting these symptoms alongside work histories strengthens the medical and legal case that occupational exposures contributed to the illness.

Blood cancer complications include:

• Severe or recurrent infections due to compromised immune systems
• Anemia and related complications like chronic fatigue and heart strain
• Bone fractures or spinal compression in multiple myeloma
• Increased risk of secondary cancers following treatment
• Organ damage, particularly to kidneys, liver, or lungs
• Psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, or post-treatment stress
• Reduced quality of life from long-term treatment side effects and physical limitations

Treatment for Blood Cancers

Treatment for blood cancers depends on the specific type of disease, its stage, and the overall health of the patient.

Leukemia may be treated with intensive chemotherapy to destroy abnormal blood cells, sometimes followed by a stem cell or bone marrow transplant to restore healthy cell production.

Lymphomas are often managed with a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and newer immunotherapies that help the immune system recognize and fight cancer cells.

Multiple myeloma treatments may include targeted therapies that interfere with cancer cell growth, along with steroids and bone-strengthening drugs to reduce complications.

In recent years, CAR-T cell therapy and other advanced immunotherapies have provided hope for patients whose cancers have not responded to standard care.

Supportive treatments, such as antibiotics, blood transfusions, or growth factors, are also common to manage symptoms and maintain quality of life.

Because relapse is common in many blood cancers, long-term monitoring with regular blood tests and imaging is essential.

Each patient’s treatment plan is highly individualized, reflecting both the biology of the disease and the patient’s unique medical needs.

Railroad employees who developed leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or related blood cancers may qualify to pursue a legal claim if their illness can be linked to workplace chemical exposures.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has long recognized that substances such as benzene and trichloroethylene pose an increased cancer risk, especially for exposed workers in industries like railroads.

Both short-term exposure to high concentrations and long-term exposure over years of employment can lead to blood cell damage and ultimately a serious injury diagnosis.

Eligibility is not limited by current employment status, meaning both retired and active workers may still bring claims.

Families may also qualify if a loved one has passed away due to an illness connected to railroad service.

Establishing a claim often requires evidence of job duties, safety conditions, and medical records showing blood cancer diagnoses.

Even when other risk factors exist, workplace exposures can still be recognized as a significant contributing cause.

If you or your family believe railroad work played a role in developing blood cancer, you may qualify for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

Contact Gianaris Trial Lawyers today for a free consultation, or use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify for a railroad workers cancer claim.

Gathering Evidence for a Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit

Strong evidence is essential to prove that railroad work and toxic exposures contributed to a cancer diagnosis.

Gianaris Trial Lawyers assists victims and families by collecting employment records, medical histories, and expert opinions that connect daily job duties to harmful substances.

Our firm also helps organize and retain documents in a way that supports both medical causation and legal liability.

Our attorneys present this evidence effectively in court or settlement negotiations to show how unsafe railroad conditions led to serious illness.

Evidence that can support your case includes:

• Employment records detailing job roles, dates, and tasks performed
• Safety reports, OSHA citations, or internal documents related to chemical hazards
• Medical records confirming cancer diagnosis, treatments, and prognosis
• Witness testimony from coworkers about workplace exposures
• Expert evaluations linking specific toxic exposures to cancer risk
• Documentation of lost wages, medical expenses, and other financial losses

Damages Recoverable Under a FELA Claim for Cancer Diagnosis

A cancer diagnosis can create devastating financial and emotional burdens for railroad workers and their families.

Under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), victims may pursue damages when workplace exposures contributed to their illness.

These damages address both economic losses, such as medical bills and lost income, and non-economic harm, such as pain, suffering, and loss of companionship.

Gianaris Trial Lawyers helps clients document and present the full scope of damages to maximize recovery and hold railroad companies accountable.

Damages that may be available in a FELA claim include:

• Medical expenses related to diagnosis, treatment, hospitalization, and ongoing care
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity due to time away from work or disability
• Pain and suffering caused by the illness and its treatments
• Emotional distress for both the worker and family members
• Loss of companionship or consortium in cases of wrongful death
• Funeral and burial costs for families who lost a loved one to cancer
• Future care costs, including monitoring for recurrence or secondary illnesses

The long history of toxic exposures in the railroad industry has left many workers and families facing devastating cancer diagnoses.

These illnesses are not random; they often trace back to years of contact with benzene, diesel exhaust exposure, solvents, asbestos insulation, welding fumes, and other hazardous substances that were never properly addressed.

Gianaris Trial Lawyers carefully investigates each case, reviewing work records, medical files, and safety practices to connect workplace exposures to the cancers they helped cause.

By combining legal experience with scientific research, our law firm provides clients with the strongest possible foundation for a claim.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer after railroad employment, Gianaris Trial Lawyers is ready to stand by your side.

Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how our team can help you pursue justice and compensation through a FELA claim.