The #1 Chicago Railroad Worker Chemical Exposure Lawyer

Railroad workers often endure chronic exposure to hazardous chemicals throughout their careers, leading to significant health risks.

Substances like diesel exhaust, benzene, asbestos, and creosote are prevalent in the railroad industry and have been linked to serious illnesses, including various forms of cancer.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies benzene as a known human carcinogen associated with cancers of the lung, bladder, colon, esophagus, throat, kidneys, rectum, and stomach.

Similarly, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has specifically noted that diesel exhaust is a Group 1 carcinogen, indicating sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans.

These classifications underscore the elevated risks faced by railroad workers due to prolonged exposure to these substances.

Despite growing awareness, many workers continue to be exposed to these dangerous chemicals without adequate protection or safety measures in place.

It’s crucial for affected individuals to recognize the potential health implications and seek appropriate medical and legal assistance.

Legal avenues, such as claims under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), may provide a path for compensation for those harmed by occupational exposures.

Awareness and proactive measures are essential to protect the health and rights of railroad workers facing these occupational hazards.

Types of Chemical Exposures in the Railroad Industry

Railroad work exposes employees to a wide range of toxic substances through direct skin contact, inhalation, and long-term environmental presence in rail yards, engine rooms, and repair shops.

These exposures can be acute or chronic, with health consequences that often appear years later.

From loading crude oil tankers to welding in confined spaces, the nature of the railroad industry places workers in constant proximity to hazardous materials.

Below is a detailed list of chemical hazards commonly encountered in railroad work:

• Diesel Fuel & Diesel Exhaust Fumes: Emitted during locomotive operation and refueling. Contains benzene, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, and ultrafine particulates. Often accumulates in engine rooms, cabs, and enclosed maintenance shops.
• Crude Oil: Transported in tankers. Spills, leaks, and loading operations expose workers to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
• Benzene-Containing Solvents: Found in degreasers, brake cleaners, and engine additives. Benzene is absorbed through skin and lungs and is strongly linked to leukemia and other blood cancers.
• Asbestos Fibers: Present in pipe insulation, brake pads, gaskets, and older locomotive components. Asbestos exposure occurs during repairs, maintenance, and demolition work.
• Silica Dust: Generated during track repair, ballast handling, concrete cutting, and sanding operations. Inhalation over time causes silicosis and raises lung cancer risk.
• Welding Fumes: Produced during track fabrication, rolling stock repairs, and structural maintenance. Contains manganese, chromium, and lead oxide fumes, especially dangerous in poorly ventilated spaces.
• Creosote: Used to treat railroad ties and timber bridges. Exposure occurs through skin contact and inhalation when cutting or working near aging wooden ties.
• Degreasing Solvents: Includes trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PERC), which are used for cleaning engine parts and electrical components. Both are classified as carcinogenic.
• Lead-Based Paints & Dust: Found on aging infrastructure and rolling stock. Sanding or chipping old surfaces releases lead particles into the air.
• Lubricants and Hydraulic Fluids: Exposure during coupling, brake work, or equipment maintenance. These often contain mineral oils and chemical additives with endocrine-disrupting properties.
• Pesticides and Herbicides: Sprayed along tracks for vegetation control. Workers may be exposed through drift, surface contact, or during application.
• Battery Acids: Used in signal systems, emergency equipment, and backup power. Can cause burns and respiratory irritation upon contact or inhalation.
• Freight Residue Chemicals: Railcars transporting industrial chemicals can leave behind toxic residue, including chlorine, sulfur dioxide, and ammonium nitrate.
• Industrial Cleaning Agents: Used in rail yard sanitation or chemical cleaning of tankers. Can include caustic agents, ammonia, and aldehydes.
• Paints and Coatings: Contains VOCs like toluene and xylene, often used during refurbishment projects in enclosed or semi-enclosed shop environments.

Each of these substances carries its own set of health risks depending on exposure duration, concentration, and route (inhalation, dermal, ingestion).

Cancers and Serious Health Problems Railroad Workers Suffer

Railroad workers are at heightened risk for a range of cancers and chronic illnesses due to prolonged exposure to hazardous substances such as diesel exhaust, asbestos, silica dust, benzene, and industrial solvents.

These exposures often occur in environments lacking adequate ventilation or protective measures, leading to significant health consequences over time.

Below is a detailed overview of serious health conditions commonly linked to toxic exposures in the railroad industry:

• Lung Cancer: Prolonged inhalation of diesel exhaust, asbestos fibers, and silica dust significantly increases the risk of lung cancer among railroad workers. Diesel exhaust contains carcinogenic compounds like benzene and formaldehyde, while asbestos and silica dust can cause chronic inflammation and scarring in lung tissue, leading to malignancy.
• Kidney Cancer: Exposure to industrial solvents such as trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PERC), commonly used in degreasing and cleaning operations, has been associated with an increased risk of kidney cancer. These chemicals can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled, accumulating in the kidneys over time.
• Liver Cancer: Chronic exposure to solvents like TCE and PERC not only affects the kidneys but also poses a risk to liver health. These substances can cause liver toxicity and have been linked to liver cancer in workers with prolonged exposure.
• Stomach Cancer and Colorectal Cancer: Ingestion or inhalation of carcinogens such as benzene, found in diesel fuel and exhaust, and creosote, used in treating railroad ties, has been linked to gastrointestinal cancers, including stomach and colorectal cancers.
• Mesothelioma: This aggressive cancer affects the lining of the lungs and is primarily caused by asbestos exposure. Railroad workers involved in maintenance and repair of older equipment may inhale asbestos fibers released from insulation and brake components.
• Toxic Encephalopathy: Long-term exposure to organic solvents used in cleaning and maintenance can lead to toxic encephalopathy, a condition characterized by cognitive deficits, memory loss, and mood disturbances. Symptoms often develop gradually and may be misattributed to aging.
• Leukemia and Other Blood Disorders: Benzene exposure, prevalent in diesel exhaust and certain solvents, is a well-known risk factor for blood cancers such as leukemia. Railroad workers exposed to benzene over extended periods are at increased risk of developing these conditions.
• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Inhalation of a train’s diesel fumes, silica dust, and other airborne irritants can lead to COPD, a group of lung diseases that cause breathing difficulties. Railroad workers in environments with poor air quality are particularly susceptible.

The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) is a landmark federal law enacted in 1908 to provide legal protection and financial recovery options to railroad workers injured on the job.

Before the law’s passage, railroads operated under a harsh system where injured employees were rarely compensated—often blocked by defenses like “assumption of risk” or “fellow servant rule.”

FELA was introduced in response to the dangerous conditions of the railroad industry, which had one of the highest rates of occupational injury and death during the industrial revolution.

It remains one of the only remedies available for railroad employees today who suffer injuries or develop illnesses due to employer negligence.

What is the Difference Between FELA and Workers’ Compensation?

Unlike traditional workers’ compensation laws, FELA is not a no-fault system.

Instead, workers must prove negligence on the part of their employer.

This could include failure to follow safety regulations, provide adequate training, maintain equipment, or correct known hazards.

If any part of the injury was caused by the employer’s carelessness—even in small part—the injured railroader may recover damages.

The statute applies not only to traumatic injuries, but also to occupational diseases resulting from exposure to diesel exhaust, silica dust, asbestos, and other toxic substances over time.

FELA covers employees engaged in interstate commerce, which encompasses nearly all modern-day railroad work.

It allows injured workers (or their survivors in cases of wrongful death) to bring claims in either state or federal court, offering flexibility and broader remedies than state-based workers’ compensation systems.

These remedies can include compensation for past and future lost earnings, medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of life enjoyment, and emotional distress.

What Types of Injuries and Illnesses are Covered by FELA?

Railroad work often involves strenuous physical labor, exposure to heavy machinery, and contact with hazardous substances—conditions that can lead to both sudden injuries and long-term health problems.

The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows injured railroad workers to pursue compensation when their injuries or illnesses are caused by their employer’s negligence.

Below are examples of injuries and diseases that may qualify for compensation under FELA:

• Falls from equipment or structures due to unsafe working conditions
• Chemical exposures (diesel exhaust, asbestos, benzene, etc.) causing long-term illnesses
• Injuries from defective tools or machinery used in railroad operations
• Repetitive stress injuries from daily labor like lifting, hammering, or operating heavy equipment
• Traumatic brain injuries caused by falling objects or collisions
• Burns and electrocutions due to unsafe electrical systems
• Hearing loss from unprotected exposure to loud environments

Can I Sue for Wrongful Death of a Loved One Through FELA?

Yes, the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) explicitly allows for wrongful death claims when a railroad worker is killed due to their employer’s negligence.

According to 45 U.S.C. § 51, “every common carrier by railroad… shall be liable in damages to any person suffering injury while he is employed… or, in case of the death of such employee, to his or her personal representative.”

This means a surviving spouse, child, or dependent family member may bring a FELA claim through the personal representative of the deceased worker’s estate.

The statute enables recovery for damages such as lost financial support, funeral expenses, and the pain and suffering the worker endured before death.

A FELA wrongful death case must still prove that the railroad’s negligence contributed, even in part, to the fatal injury.

Chicago serves as the nation’s most critical rail hub, with more freight and passenger trains passing through its network than any other city in the United States.

The city’s vast rail infrastructure includes major intermodal terminals, classification yards, and historic passenger depots, all of which play a vital role in the national supply chain and commuter transit.

For railroad workers, these facilities are also sites of potential chemical exposure, heavy equipment hazards, and other occupational risks.

Below is an overview of key rail yards and operations in the Chicago area.

Major freight and intermodal rail yards in the Chicago area:

• Clearing Yard (Belt Railway Company of Chicago): Located in Bedford Park, this is one of the largest classification yards in the U.S., spanning 786 acres with over 250 miles of track. It handles more than 8,400 rail cars daily and is a central interchange point for all six Class I railroads.
• Corwith Yard (BNSF Railway): Situated in the Brighton Park neighborhood, Corwith is a major intermodal facility handling approximately 1,900 containers per day. Originally built in 1888, it now serves as a key hub for BNSF’s freight operations.
• Bensenville Yard (Canadian Pacific Kansas City): Located in Bensenville and Franklin Park, this yard is CPKC’s largest freight and marshaling yard in the U.S., featuring 55 tracks and handling over 220,000 containers annually.
• Landers Yard (Norfolk Southern): Found on Chicago’s southwest side, Landers Yard is a significant intermodal terminal facilitating the transfer of goods between rail and truck, playing a crucial role in Norfolk Southern’s network.
• 59th Street Yard (CSX Transportation): Located in Chicago, this intermodal yard is integral to CSX’s operations, handling a substantial volume of freight and serving as a key node in their transportation network.
• Global II Intermodal Terminal (Union Pacific): Situated in Northlake, IL, this facility is part of Union Pacific’s intermodal network, providing critical services for freight movement across the region.
• Global IV Intermodal Terminal (Union Pacific): Located in Joliet, IL, Global IV is a major intermodal facility that enhances Union Pacific’s capacity to handle freight efficiently in the Chicago area.
• Yard Center (Union Pacific): Found in Dolton, IL, this yard is a pivotal component of Union Pacific’s operations, facilitating the classification and movement of freight throughout the region.

Major passenger and commuter train terminals in the Chicago area:

• Chicago Union Station: Located at 225 S. Canal Street, Union Station is the third-busiest railroad terminal in the U.S., serving over 120,000 passengers daily. It is the primary hub for Amtrak and Metra commuter trains.
• Ogilvie Transportation Center: Situated at 500 W. Madison Street, this station serves as the terminus for Metra’s Union Pacific lines and was formerly known as North Western Station.
• LaSalle Street Station: Located at 414 S. LaSalle Street, it is the terminal for Metra’s Rock Island District line, providing commuter rail services to the southern suburbs.
• Millennium Station: Found at 151 N. Michigan Avenue, this station serves Metra’s Electric District and the South Shore Line, connecting downtown Chicago to the southeastern suburbs and northwest Indiana.

These facilities are integral to Chicago’s role as a national rail hub, supporting both freight logistics and commuter transportation.

However, the scale and complexity of operations also mean that railroad workers face various occupational hazards, including exposure to diesel exhaust, chemical solvents, and other industrial materials.

At Gianaris Trial Lawyers, we know that Chicago’s railroad workers are the backbone of the national transportation system—and too often, they’re left to suffer the long-term health effects of toxic workplace exposures alone.

From diesel exhaust and asbestos insulation to benzene solvents and silica dust, the risks are severe, and the consequences can be life-altering.

Our legal team is committed to helping injured and ill railroaders—and the families of those lost—pursue justice under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

If you or a loved one developed cancer or another serious illness after working in a Chicago rail yard, intermodal terminal, or maintenance facility, we are here to help you pursue full and fair compensation.

We handle the legal burden so you can focus on treatment, recovery, and your future.

Our firm has the experience, resources, and resolve to hold negligent railroad employers accountable.

Call Gianaris Trial Lawyers today for a free consultation.

You can also use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify for a railroad toxic exposure claim instantly.

We proudly serve clients across Illinois and nationwide.