Railroad Asbestos Exposure | Railroad Workers Diagnosed with Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer

For much of the 20th century, the railroad industry relied heavily on asbestos containing materials for their durability, fire resistance, and insulating properties.

These materials were used throughout steam trains, diesel locomotives, and passenger cars, as well as in the facilities where railroad equipment was built and maintained.

As a result, thousands of railroad workers experienced regular and prolonged occupational exposure to asbestos on the job.

This exposure often occurred without adequate protective gear or safety protocols, and many railroad companies failed to warn workers about the health risks tied to asbestos inhalation.

Asbestos was considered a practical solution to manage heat and prevent fires in high-friction or high-temperature environments—two common characteristics of railroad operations.

However, what many workers did not know is that these same asbestos products could break down and release fine fibers into the air, where they were easily inhaled or ingested.

Over time, these exposures have led to an increased risk of serious health issues, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis—diseases that often develop decades after the initial contact.

Even today’s railroad workers can encounter lingering sources of asbestos, especially during restoration or demolition projects involving older equipment or infrastructure.

Many of these materials, although outdated, still remain in older rail yards, repair shops, and retired rolling stock.

Some of the most common sources of asbestos exposure in the railroad industry include:

• Asbestos Insulation: Used extensively on boilers, steam pipes, and engine components in steam locomotives to retain heat and improve efficiency.
• Brake Pads and Linings: Asbestos was a primary material in train brake pads and clutches due to its durability and resistance to heat.
• Gaskets and Seals: Widely used in locomotive engines and railcar systems to prevent leaks under high-pressure conditions.
• Asbestos Rope: Utilized by track workers to repair rail pull-aparts and in various insulation applications.
• Asbestos Cement: Used in railcars to enhance fireproofing and structural integrity.
• Floor Tiles and Adhesives: Found in passenger cars and maintenance buildings, contributing to exposure during installation and removal.
• Protective Clothing: Gloves and aprons made with asbestos fibers were worn by workers to protect against heat, inadvertently exposing them to asbestos.
• Asbestos Heat Shields: Installed in cabooses and passenger car heating systems to manage high temperatures.
• Electrical Panels and Wiring Insulation: Asbestos was used for its insulating properties in various electrical components.
• Ceiling Tiles and Wallboard: Incorporated into the construction of railcars and facilities, leading to exposure during maintenance.

In many cases, workers handled or disturbed these materials daily, creating dust clouds that filled confined spaces without proper ventilation.

Those most at risk included railroad machinists, pipefitters, boilermakers, brakemen, and anyone involved in the repair, renovation, or demolition of rail equipment.

The failure of railroad companies to warn workers or remove these materials safely has left a devastating legacy of disease among both retired and former railroad workers—a reality that continues to affect lives today.

Railroad Workers with a High Risk of Asbestos Exposure

Certain railroad jobs placed workers at particular risk of asbestos-related illness due to frequent contact with materials that contained asbestos.

Many railroad workers encountered asbestos while performing maintenance, repairs, or construction on locomotives, train cars, and infrastructure—often in enclosed spaces with poor ventilation and no protective equipment.

While trades like machinists and pipefitters faced the most direct workplace exposure, other workers were also exposed indirectly through disturbed materials or welding fumes that carried asbestos fibers.

Any railroad employee who worked near insulation, gaskets, brake systems, or asbestos-lined compartments may have been at risk.

Positions at high risk for asbestos exposure include:

• Railroad machinists
• Pipefitters
• Boilermakers
• Car repairmen
• Locomotive engineers
• Brake operators and brakemen
• Conductors
• Welders (exposed to asbestos-laced welding fumes)
• Electricians (working with asbestos-insulated wiring)
• Track maintenance workers
• Laborers in locomotive repair shops
• Insulators
• Painters and surface prep workers (who sanded or scraped asbestos coatings)
• HVAC technicians working on railcar heating systems
• Signal maintainers
• Yardmen and general laborers
• Facility maintenance staff in rail depots and buildings with asbestos-containing floor tiles and ceiling panels
• Firemen on steam locomotives
• Retrofitting and demolition crews
• Supervisors and foremen present during repair work

Each of these roles involved workplace exposure either directly through handling asbestos materials or indirectly by being in contaminated environments where fibers became airborne.

Decades of railroad work around asbestos containing materials have led to a devastating number of illnesses among former railroad employees.

The danger comes from prolonged exposure to asbestos fibers, which, once inhaled or ingested, can become permanently lodged in the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart.

Over time, this fiber buildup causes scarring, inflammation, and genetic damage that can develop into aggressive, often fatal diseases.

Many asbestos related cancers don’t appear until 20 to 50 years after the initial exposure—meaning retired railroaders are often diagnosed long after they’ve left the job.

One of the most serious conditions tied to asbestos is malignant mesothelioma, a rare cancer that forms in the mesothelial lining of internal organs.

Railroad workers have been diagnosed with several forms of mesothelioma, including pleural mesothelioma (affecting the lining of the lungs) and peritoneal mesothelioma (affecting the abdominal lining).

A mesothelioma diagnosis is almost always linked to occupational asbestos exposure, and unfortunately, there is no known cure.

In other cases, railroaders develop asbestos related lung cancer, which is distinct from mesothelioma but equally deadly.

Both smokers and nonsmokers who were exposed to asbestos on the job face elevated risks.

The most common asbestos-related illnesses suffered by railroad workers include:

• Pleural mesothelioma
• Peritoneal mesothelioma
• Pericardial mesothelioma (rare, affects the lining of the heart)
• Asbestos related lung cancer
• Laryngeal cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Asbestosis (a chronic lung condition caused by fibrosis)
• Pleural plaques and thickening (scarring that impairs breathing)
• Chronic respiratory failure due to asbestos damage

These illnesses are debilitating, often fatal, and entirely preventable.

Yet for decades, railroad companies continued using asbestos materials without protecting workers or warning them of the long-term health risks.

Today, those harmed by occupational asbestos exposure during railroad work may be eligible for compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

Railroad workers diagnosed with mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases have the right to file asbestos claims under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

Unlike typical workers’ compensation systems, FELA allows injured railroad workers—or their surviving families—to hold the railroad company accountable for negligence.

If a company failed to provide a safe work environment, used hazardous asbestos materials, or didn’t warn employees of the heightened risk, it may be liable for the injuries or death that followed.

A successful mesothelioma claim under FELA can result in significant financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

At Gianaris Trial Lawyers, we focus on helping railroad workers and their families seek compensation after years of preventable exposure.

We understand the unique legal standards required to prove a FELA claim and have extensive experience building strong cases based on work history, medical evidence, and expert testimony.

Whether you’re a former railroad worker facing a recent mesothelioma diagnosis or a family member pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit, we are prepared to fight on your behalf.

The process typically begins with a thorough investigation into the worker’s job duties and exposure history.

From there, we gather medical records, identify sources of exposure, and file the claim in federal or state court.

We handle every step—from initial consultation to settlement negotiations or trial—with the goal of recovering fair compensation for those harmed.

Because FELA requires proof of negligence, having a focused legal team with experience in asbestos and railroad litigation is essential.

Gianaris Trial Lawyers is proud to stand with injured workers and grieving families in their pursuit of justice.

Gathering Evidence for a FELA Asbestos Exposure Claim

Strong FELA claims depend on clear, well-organized evidence linking a railroad worker’s illness to asbestos exposure during their employment.

Our team of FELA lawyers works closely with clients to gather, retain, organize, and present all necessary documentation—building a compelling case against negligent railroad companies like Union Pacific, CSX Transportation, and others.

Because many exposures occurred decades ago, it’s critical to trace job duties, work environments, and specific asbestos-containing materials used at the time.

We collaborate with medical experts, industrial hygienists, and former railroad employees to develop a detailed picture of occupational exposure and resulting illness.

Evidence for a FELA asbestos exposure claim may include:

• Employment records and job descriptions from the railroad company
• Worksite and facility records identifying asbestos-containing materials
• Maintenance and repair logs involving equipment known to contain asbestos
• Union records or grievance filings related to unsafe working conditions
• Coworker and witness statements confirming asbestos exposure
• Medical records and pathology reports confirming mesothelioma or other asbestos-related illness
• Expert testimony from oncologists, pulmonologists, or occupational health specialists
• Historical asbestos use data from companies like Union Pacific and CSX Transportation
• Death certificates and autopsy reports in wrongful death cases
• Photographs or schematics of asbestos-laden work environments
• Documentation of lost wages, healthcare costs, and financial dependence for compensation calculations

Recoverable FELA Compensation for Asbestos Claims

Under the Federal Employers Liability Act, railroad workers exposed to asbestos have the right to pursue full and fair compensation if their illness resulted from employer negligence.

FELA claims allow injured workers—or a surviving family member—to recover damages not just for medical bills, but also for lost income, emotional suffering, and future financial losses.

Unlike traditional workers’ compensation, FELA enables victims to seek comprehensive compensation based on fault, which makes the quality of evidence and damage assessment critical.

At Gianaris Trial Lawyers, we work with financial experts, economists, and medical professionals to carefully calculate the total impact of the disease—including out-of-pocket costs and projected long-term losses.

We build each case to reflect the specific needs and circumstances of the individual and their family.

Whether you’re seeking damages for a mesothelioma diagnosis, years of missed income, or the loss of a loved one, our legal team pursues every available category of compensation.

We fight to ensure that railroad companies are held accountable for the long-term consequences of failing to protect their workers.

Recoverable FELA damages for asbestos claims may include:

• Past and future medical expenses related to asbestos-related illness
• Out-of-pocket costs for treatment, medication, and travel
• Lost wages and reduced future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering caused by the illness
• Loss of enjoyment of life or physical impairment
• Emotional distress and mental anguish
• Loss of companionship and financial support (in wrongful death cases)
• Funeral and burial costs
• Home health care or hospice expenses
• Punitive damages in cases of reckless or willful misconduct by the railroad company

Railroad workers should never have been put in harm’s way by companies that prioritized cost over safety.

For decades, railroad companies used asbestos-containing materials without warning employees or taking steps to limit exposure—leaving many with devastating, life-altering illnesses.

At Gianaris Trial Lawyers, we are committed to holding these companies accountable through focused, trial-ready FELA litigation.

If you or a family member has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, or another asbestos-related disease after years of railroad work, you may be entitled to significant compensation.

Contact Gianaris Trial Lawyers today for a free consultation.

We’ll listen to your story, evaluate your case, and help you take the next steps toward justice and financial recovery.