Railroad Esophageal Cancer Lawsuit [2025 Update]

For decades, railroad employees were routinely exposed to toxic chemicals that directly affected the aerodigestive tract.

Diesel exhaust exposure created a constant stream of soot, particulates, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that entered the body through both inhalation and ingestion, irritating and damaging the esophagus over time.

Workers handling creosote-treated railroad ties and coal-tar products were also in direct contact with PAH-rich mixtures now known to contribute to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

In rail shops, machinists and sheet metal workers frequently used solvents such as trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE), which studies have associated with elevated risks of esophageal cancer.

Welding fumes and asbestos-containing locomotive parts added further hazards to the daily work environment, exposing employees to multiple carcinogens at once.

Scientific studies have shown that significant exposure to these agents increases the risk of developing cancer of the esophagus and digestive tract, particularly in workers with many years of service.

Both acute, high-dose contact and chronic low-level exposure can create lasting damage, leading to a higher likelihood of cancer diagnoses later in life.

Regulatory agencies such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have recognized the dangers of diesel fumes, asbestos, and industrial solvents, yet many railroad companies continued unsafe practices long after the risks were documented.

The pattern of exposures in railroad jobs mirrors the risks observed in broader epidemiological studies, reinforcing the causal connection between railroad work and esophageal cancer.

Substances Linked to Esophageal Cancer in Railroad Work

Railroad workers encountered a range of carcinogens that scientific studies and regulatory agencies have associated with developing cancer of the esophagus and digestive tract.

These exposures occurred in locomotive cabs, rail yards, and repair shops, often without protective equipment or adequate ventilation.

Over time, repeated contact with these dangerous substances created conditions where railroad employees faced a far greater risk of esophageal cancer than the general population.

Dangerous substances and occupational exposures of concern include:

• Diesel engine exhaust (DEE): Contains benzene, nitro-PAHs, and soot particles that irritate and damage the esophageal lining; meta-analyses report elevated risks for gastrointestinal cancers, including esophageal cancer, in transport-exposed cohorts.
• Asbestos fibers: Present in insulation, brake pads, and other locomotive parts; recent meta-analyses show asbestos exposure as linked to an increased risk of esophageal cancer, particularly among heavily exposed groups.
• Creosote and coal-tar products: Used to treat railroad ties and bridge timbers; rich in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that cause DNA damage in the mucosal lining of the esophagus.
• Chlorinated solvents (Trichloroethylene, Perchloroethylene): Commonly used in rail shops for degreasing and cleaning; linked to elevated esophageal cancer risks in occupational studies.
• Metalworking fluids (MWFs): Employed in machining and grinding operations; case–control studies show increased odds of esophageal cancer with prolonged exposure.
• Welding fumes: Classified as a Group 1 carcinogen; ongoing studies suggest risks extend beyond the lungs to the upper digestive tract, including the esophagus.

These workplace exposures reflect a pattern of cumulative harm in the railroad industry, where employees were regularly exposed to multiple carcinogens at once.

Whether through long-term inhalation of diesel fumes, ingestion of PAHs, or contact with solvents in poorly ventilated shops, the result was a significant exposure burden that left workers vulnerable.

The fact that railroad companies failed to warn workers about these hazards strengthens the legal and medical basis for pursuing claims.

By tying specific substances to modern cancer diagnoses, affected workers and families can show how railroad duties contributed to preventable esophageal cancers and support a FELA claim.

Scientific Studies Linking Occupational Exposures to Esophageal Cancer

Across occupational epidemiology, the clearest esophageal-cancer signals that map to rail settings involve chronic contact with diesel engine exhaust (DEE), asbestos, PAH-rich creosote/coal tar, selected chlorinated solvents (TCE/PCE) used in shops, and certain metalworking/welding environments.

A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies in Occupational Medicine reported elevated gastrointestinal cancer risks, including esophageal cancer, among workers occupationally exposed to DEE, strengthening plausibility for transportation sectors such as rail where long-duration diesel exposure is common.

The NCI/NIOSH Diesel Exhaust in Miners Study (DEMS), a cornerstone exposure–response program on diesel, also notes a suggestive association with esophageal cancer, albeit with small numbers.

For asbestos, the newest 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis in Occupational & Environmental Medicine found increased risk of oesophageal cancer in asbestos-exposed workers, with stronger effects in the highest-exposed groups, a pattern directly relevant to legacy rail insulation, brake, and shop work.

PAHs have human biomarker evidence linking exposure to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC): studies from high-incidence regions show PAH biomarkers and tissue adducts correlate with ESCC risk, aligning with rail tasks involving creosote-treated ties and sooty yards.

For shop solvents, the U.S. EPA IRIS assessment compiles epidemiology indicating associations of TCE with several cancers (with limited/suggestive evidence for esophageal sites) and suggestive esophageal findings for PCE in dry-cleaning cohorts, probative where rail shops historically used vapor-degreasing.

Metal-intensive tasks are also relevant: a nested case–control analysis in a large auto-manufacturing cohort found significantly increased odds of esophageal cancer with long-term metalworking-fluid exposure; and welding fumes are now IARC Group 1 carcinogens, supporting treatment of welding as an important co-exposure in sheet-metal/fabrication crafts.

Which Railroad Workers May Be at a Higher Risk of Esophageal Cancer?

Not all jobs in the railroad industry carried the same hazards, but many roles left workers regularly exposed to dangerous chemicals that can damage the aerodigestive tract.

Those who worked in enclosed cabs, repair shops, and along the tracks often faced long-term exposure to diesel exhaust, solvents, welding fumes, and asbestos: all substances linked to a higher risk of occupational illness such as esophageal cancer.

Employees responsible for transporting crude oil or servicing train cars often worked in environments filled with fuel vapors and diesel emissions, while shop crews handled degreasers and welding tasks in poorly ventilated areas.

Track maintenance workers also encountered creosote-treated ties, herbicides, and silica dust, creating daily contact with agents that are biologically linked to cancers of the esophagus and digestive tract.

Railroad jobs most at risk include:

• Engineers and conductors long shifts in locomotive cabs with constant diesel exhaust exposure
• Machinists and shop workers handled degreasers, solvents, and welding fumes in enclosed shops
• Sheet metal workers and boilermakers engaged in cutting, welding, and fabrication with metal fumes and asbestos
• Car repairmen maintained and painted train cars, often using products with benzene and other carcinogens
• Track maintenance crews worked around creosote-treated ties, herbicides, silica dust, and other soil contaminants
• Yard workers and switchmen stationed near idling locomotives, crude oil tankers, and heavy diesel fumes

These positions reflect how varied roles in the railroad industry often overlapped in terms of exposure, compounding risks for employees.

Whether in shops, cabs, or along the tracks, workers were placed in environments where multiple toxic substances combined to create lasting harm.

For many, the result was a preventable cancer diagnosis years later, directly tied to their employment and the unsafe conditions tolerated by railroad companies.

Can Family Members File a Wrongful Death Lawsuit for a Loved One Who Passed Away from Esophageal Cancer?

Yes, family members may pursue a wrongful death claim if their loved one’s esophageal cancer can be linked to harmful chemicals encountered during railroad work.

Courts recognize that prolonged contact with hazardous substances such as diesel exhaust fumes, asbestos, and solvents can contribute to cancers of the digestive tract.

These cases often fall within the broader category of railroad cancer claims, which hold companies accountable for unsafe working conditions.

Importantly, a worker’s employment status (whether active, retired, or long since separated from the railroad) does not prevent family members from bringing a claim.

A wrongful death lawsuit also considers the shortened life expectancy caused by the illness, as well as the financial and emotional loss to surviving spouses and children.

Compensation may cover medical costs, funeral expenses, lost household income, and loss of companionship.

By filing under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), families can seek both justice and financial recovery for preventable cancers tied to decades of unsafe railroad practices.

Esophageal cancer begins when abnormal cells form in the lining of the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food and liquid from the throat to the stomach.

Over time, these cells grow uncontrollably, leading to tumors that can block the passage of food and cause serious complications.

The two main types are squamous cell carcinoma, which develops in the flat cells lining the esophagus, and adenocarcinoma, which begins in glandular cells often linked to Barrett’s esophagus and chronic acid reflux.

Risk factors include smoking, heavy alcohol use, obesity, and, in occupational settings, long-term contact with carcinogens such as diesel exhaust, asbestos, and solvents.

Symptoms often appear late and may include difficulty swallowing, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, chronic cough, and digestive problems.

Because early stages are often silent, many cancer diagnoses occur only once the disease has advanced.

Prognosis depends on the stage at diagnosis, overall health, and access to effective treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or targeted therapies.

For railroad workers, years of exposure to toxic substances in unsafe environments may contribute to the development of esophageal cancer, underscoring the need for both medical care and legal accountability.

Symptoms and Complications of Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is a disease that often progresses silently, making it difficult to detect until it has already advanced.

In the early stages, symptoms may be vague or easily mistaken for common digestive issues, leading many patients to delay medical evaluation.

As the tumor grows, it begins to narrow the esophagus, creating noticeable swallowing difficulties and persistent discomfort.

For railroad workers who spent years exposed to diesel exhaust, asbestos, solvents, and other toxins, these symptoms may be the delayed effects of long-term occupational exposures.

Because esophageal cancer can spread quickly to nearby lymph nodes and distant organs, timely diagnosis is critical for effective treatment.

Unfortunately, by the time symptoms appear, many patients are already facing advanced disease.

Recognizing these warning signs can help link a worker’s occupational illness to their history of exposure in the railroad industry.

Common symptoms of esophageal cancer include:

• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), often beginning with solid foods and progressing to liquids
• Persistent chest pain, pressure, or burning sensation
• Respiratory irritation
• Chronic cough or hoarseness
• Unexplained weight loss and loss of appetite
• Fatigue and weakness caused by poor nutrition or anemia
• Regurgitation of food or frequent choking while eating
• Indigestion or persistent heartburn that does not improve with treatment

The effects of esophageal cancer go beyond immediate symptoms, creating lasting physical and emotional burdens.

Treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation can weaken the immune system and significantly impact quality of life.

Advanced disease may lead to severe nutritional problems, respiratory issues, and painful metastasis.

For railroad employees, these complications reflect not only the medical consequences of cancer but also the preventable risks they endured from years of unsafe working conditions.

Complications of esophageal cancer include:

• Complete blockage of the esophagus requiring feeding tubes
• Spread of cancer to the liver, lungs, or lymphatic system
• Severe malnutrition and dehydration
• Chronic pain and difficulty managing daily activities
• Long-term side effects of treatment, including fatigue and immune suppression

How is Esophageal Cancer Treated?

Treatment for esophageal cancer depends on the type of cancer, how advanced it is, and the patient’s overall health.

Surgery is often the main option, involving removal of part or all of the esophagus and sometimes portions of nearby stomach tissue.

Chemotherapy may be given before or after surgery to shrink tumors or kill remaining cancer cells, and it is also used in advanced cases to slow disease progression.

Radiation therapy is frequently combined with chemotherapy to target tumors that are difficult to remove surgically.

Newer treatments, such as targeted therapies and immunotherapy drugs, have become available for patients whose cancers express specific biomarkers.

Supportive care, including nutritional support and management of swallowing difficulties, is an essential part of treatment since many patients struggle to maintain weight and strength.

For advanced or recurrent disease, palliative approaches focus on reducing pain and improving quality of life.

Because esophageal cancer is often diagnosed at later stages, treatment plans are typically aggressive and require long-term monitoring.

Railroad workers who developed esophageal cancer after years of toxic exposures may qualify to pursue compensation through the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

This law allows employees to hold railroad companies accountable when employer negligence contributed to a serious injury or occupational illness.

Many railroad employees were frequently exposed to diesel exhaust, asbestos, solvents, and creosote without proper warnings or protective equipment.

If you received an esophageal cancer diagnosis after working in the railroad industry, you may be entitled to file a claim even if you are retired or no longer employed.

A successful FELA claim does not require proving that workplace conditions were the only cause, only that exposures were a significant contributing factor.

Workers who believe their cancer is linked to railroad service should seek medical attention promptly and begin documenting their history of exposures.

Families may also pursue wrongful death claims if a loved one passed away due to cancer caused by unsafe rail environments.

Speaking with an experienced railroad cancer lawyer can help determine whether you meet the requirements for bringing a lawsuit under FELA.

Gathering Evidence for a Railroad Cancer Lawsuit

Proving that esophageal cancer is connected to railroad work requires a detailed record of exposures and medical documentation.

Because this cancer often appears years after employment has ended, evidence must show how long-term contact with toxic agents in the railroad industry contributed to the disease.

Lawyers build these cases by gathering records, expert testimony, and documentation that connect the worker’s job duties to dangerous substances known to cause serious injury.

Without this evidence, railroad companies frequently argue that other risk factors were responsible, making thorough documentation a critical part of any claim.

Evidence for a railroad workers cancer lawsuit may include:

• Employment records showing job roles, shop assignments, and years of service
• Workplace safety documents or OSHA findings identifying hazardous conditions
• Medical records confirming esophageal cancer diagnosis and treatment history
• Coworker testimony about shared exposure to diesel exhaust, solvents, asbestos, or welding fumes
• Expert opinions linking occupational exposures to esophageal cancer development
• Financial documentation for medical bills, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity

Collecting and presenting this evidence demonstrates how employer negligence placed workers at risk and how cumulative exposures directly contributed to their cancer.

With strong documentation, affected workers and their families are far better positioned to secure compensation through a FELA claim.

Recoverable Damages in Railroad Cancer Lawsuits

An esophageal cancer diagnosis brings not only medical challenges but also severe financial and emotional burdens for workers and their families.

Under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), victims of toxic exposures in the railroad industry can pursue compensation when employer negligence played a role in causing their illness.

These damages cover both the direct costs of treatment and the broader losses that come with a life-changing disease.

For families, securing compensation can provide stability while holding railroad companies accountable for unsafe practices that left workers frequently exposed to carcinogens.

Recoverable damages may include:

• Medical expenses for hospitalizations, surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and ongoing care
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity due to time away from work or permanent disability
• Pain and suffering from both the physical and emotional effects of esophageal cancer
• Emotional distress for the worker and family members coping with the illness
• Loss of companionship or consortium in wrongful death cases
• Funeral and burial expenses for families who lost a loved one
• Future care costs, including nutritional support, rehabilitation, or monitoring for recurrence

For decades, railroad employees were placed in unsafe environments where they were frequently exposed to diesel exhaust, asbestos, creosote, solvents, and welding fumes: dangerous substances that medical research now ties to several types of cancer.

Many of these exposures occurred without warnings, protective equipment, or proper safety measures, leaving workers vulnerable to preventable disease.

When a cancer diagnosis disrupts a family’s life, it reflects not just medical hardship but also the failure of railroad companies to safeguard their workforce.

At Gianaris Trial Lawyers, we thoroughly investigate how a worker’s history of railroad service contributed to their illness.

Our team connects medical evidence with job records to build strong claims under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

By proving how employer negligence led to unsafe conditions, we help clients pursue the justice and compensation they deserve.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer after years of railroad work, Gianaris Trial Lawyers may be able to help you.

Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how a FELA claim can provide financial recovery and accountability for the harm caused by unsafe railroad practices.