Railroad Kidney Cancer Lawsuit

Kidney cancer has become a growing concern for railroad workers who were regularly exposed to hazardous substances throughout their careers.

The railroad industry historically relied on materials and operations that released toxic chemicals such as diesel exhaust, benzene, and solvents: all of which have been linked to an increased risk of various cancers, including kidney cancer.

Prolonged exposure to these carcinogens in confined work environments may damage cellular structures and kidney function over time, eventually leading to a cancer diagnosis.

Many former railroad workers, including sheet metal workers, engineers, conductors, and yard personnel, may be eligible to file lawsuits alleging that their employers failed to protect them from these workplace hazards.

These claims are often filed under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), which provides legal avenues for injured or ill railroad workers to pursue compensation.

If you or a loved one developed kidney cancer after working in the railroad industry, legal options may be available.

You may be entitled to compensation through a railroad cancer lawsuit.

Contact an experienced railroad cancer lawyer to learn more about your rights.

Scientific Research Supporting Kidney Cancer Claims in Railroad Workers

The most persuasive science in railroad kidney-cancer cases centers on trichloroethylene (TCE) and other chlorinated solvents historically used for parts-washing and degreasing, with additional support from mixed diesel exhaust constituents (PAHs, nitro-PAHs, metals) and legacy shop exposures.

Authoritative agencies classify TCE as a known human carcinogen with sufficient evidence for kidney cancer, and regulatory/industrial-hygiene materials document solvent toxicity, ventilation/PPE requirements, and medical surveillance—evidence that these hazards were both foreseeable and controllable in rail settings.

Diesel exhaust is the dominant lung cancer risk in rail cohorts; for kidney cancer, pooled and mechanistic evidence points most strongly to TCE/solvent pathways (with nephrotoxicity, genotoxic metabolites, and proximal tubular injury), which is why TCE and certain solvent mixtures are the primary exposure theories in kidney-cancer claims, while diesel particulate is used chiefly to characterize overall inhalation burden.

Studies and literature on kidney cancer and occupational exposures include:

• IARC Monographs (Vol. 106, 2014) – Trichloroethylene (TCE): Confirms Group 1 (carcinogenic to humans)with sufficient evidence for kidney cancer in humans, supported by animal and mechanistic data (nephrotoxicity, mutagenic metabolites). Use as the cornerstone classification for solvent exposures in rail shops.
• U.S. EPA IRIS (2011) – TCE Toxicological Review: Quantifies kidney-cancer risk, provides dose–response and PBPK modeling, and details biologic plausibility via glutathione-conjugation pathways in the renal proximal tubule.
• Meta-analyses of TCE & renal cell carcinoma (e.g., Environmental Health Perspectives / Occup. & Environ. Med.): Show exposure–response trends and elevated RCC risk among workers with moderate-to-high TCE exposure, strengthening causal inference beyond single studies.
• Chlorinated-solvent cohorts (degreasing/metalworking trades): Large case–control and cohort studies in solvent-intensive industries report increased RCC where cumulative TCE exposure was highest, supporting rail shop analogs (parts-washing, vapor degreasing, confined bays).
• IARC Monographs (Vol. 105, 2012) – Diesel Engine Exhaust: Classifies diesel exhaust as Group 1 for lung cancer; while kidney evidence is limited/inadequate, these cohorts document intense, chronic inhalation environments that co-occurred with solvent use, useful context for reconstructing total exposure.
• OSHA solvent and hazard-communication standards (29 CFR 1910): Require exposure monitoring, engineering controls, and training for chlorinated solvents; probative on notice and duty to protect where TCE and similar agents were used.
• U.S. railroad diesel cohorts (Garshick/Laden et al.): Demonstrate elevated mortality in diesel-exposed operating crafts and quantify historical exposure intensity, contextual evidence that supports cumulative inhalation burdens alongside solvent exposures in legacy rail eras.

These sources collectively underpin the theory that long-term solvent exposure (especially TCE) drives kidney-cancer risk in railroad environments, with diesel-rich atmospheres amplifying overall toxic load and supporting negligence and foreseeability arguments in FELA claims.

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

Certain railroad roles placed workers at especially high risk of exposure to toxins linked to kidney cancer.

Jobs that involved close contact with diesel-powered equipment, chemical cleaners, or maintenance of railroad ties are now under scrutiny in active railroad cancer lawsuits.

Common positions that may be impacted include:

• Locomotive engineers and conductors
• Diesel mechanics and equipment operators
• Yardmasters and brakemen
• Track maintenance and bridge workers
• Sheet metal workers, pipefitters, and electricians
• Signal maintainers and welders

These roles often involved prolonged exposure to harmful substances in poorly ventilated or confined environments.

Railroad companies were often aware of these risks but failed to take adequate precautions — a factor that continues to drive railroad workers cancer lawsuit filings across the country.

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

Yes.

If your loved one passed away from kidney cancer and had a history of employment in the railroad industry, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

These lawsuits allege that employers failed to protect workers from dangerous exposures, which ultimately contributed to their illness and death.

FELA allows surviving family members — such as spouses, children, or dependent relatives — to seek compensation for medical expenses, funeral costs, loss of companionship, and lost future earnings.

These cases often rely on employment records, expert medical testimony, and evidence of workplace exposures to link the cancer to occupational causes.

If your family is navigating a recent loss, an experienced railroad cancer lawyer can help you determine your eligibility and explain your options for filing a railroad cancer lawsuit.

You may be entitled to a portion of future railroad cancer settlement amounts.

Contact us today for a free case review.

Kidney cancer is increasingly cited in railroad cancer lawsuits as more evidence emerges connecting toxic occupational exposures to serious illnesses among railroad employees.

Substances like diesel exhaust, asbestos, welding fumes, and benzene were commonly present in railroad jobs, and long-term contact with these toxins may significantly increase the risk of kidney cancer.

Many affected workers were unaware of the risks or were not given adequate protective gear by their railroad employers.

The result has been a wave of occupational illness claims from former railroad employees and injured workers, alleging that their health conditions—including kidney cancer, colon cancer, laryngeal cancer, and even chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)—were preventable.

These illnesses can have long latency periods, meaning workers may not show symptoms for years or decades after exposure.

Filing a claim against a railroad company for cancer-related harm is a complex process, but legal options are available.

An experienced team of railroad cancer lawyers can help you understand your rights and build a strong case.

Symptoms and Complications of the Different Types of Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer can take several forms, with renal cell carcinoma being the most common among adults.

For railroad workers exposed to carcinogens, symptoms may appear gradually and may be mistakenly attributed to other conditions.

Common symptoms include:

• Blood in the urine
• Persistent pain in the side or lower back
• Fatigue or unexplained weight loss
• Fever not caused by infection
• Swelling in the ankles or legs

These symptoms often emerge after the cancer has advanced, making early diagnosis more difficult—especially for those who lacked regular access to healthcare during their years in the railroad industry.

Left untreated, kidney cancer may spread to the lungs, bones, or liver, increasing the risk of death and complicating treatment.

Treatment for Kidney Cancers

Treatment for kidney cancer often depends on the stage of the disease and the patient’s overall health.

Common approaches include surgical removal of the tumor or kidney (partial or radical nephrectomy), immunotherapy, targeted therapies, and, in some cases, radiation.

Early detection can improve outcomes significantly, but many railroad employees only receive a diagnosis after the disease has progressed.

Complications can arise from the cancer itself or the treatment process, including risks of infection, long-term kidney dysfunction, or side effects from aggressive chemotherapy or immunotherapy.

In cases where cancer has metastasized, treatment may shift to palliative care.

If you or a loved one worked in the railroad industry and were later diagnosed with kidney cancer, you may be eligible to file a railroad kidney cancer lawsuit.

Railroad workers were often frequently exposed to diesel fuel, diesel exhaust fumes, crude oil, and dangerous substances like silica dust, asbestos insulation, and other toxic chemicals—all of which are linked to developing cancer.

Kidney cancer, esophageal cancer, multiple myeloma, and throat cancer are among the illnesses cited in recent cancer diagnoses associated with long-term railroad employment.

Qualifying for a claim depends on your exposure history, medical documentation, and work history within the railroad industry.

Those who have been diagnosed with cancer—or family members of those who passed away due to serious illness—may be eligible to file under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), a federal law that protects injured railroad workers.

An experienced railroad cancer attorney can review your case and determine if you are eligible to pursue fair compensation for the harm caused by occupational exposure.

Gathering Evidence for a Railroad Workers Cancer Lawsuit

Building a successful FELA claim for kidney or other types of cancer requires clear and convincing evidence that ties your cancer diagnosis to hazardous workplace conditions.

Experienced legal representation can help you gather the necessary documentation to support your injury claims.

Evidence may include:

• Work records showing job duties and duration of employment
• Testimony regarding toxic exposure to diesel exhaust, asbestos, or other dangerous chemicals
• Medical records detailing hospital bills, treatment plans, and long-term outcomes
• Internal railroad documents that demonstrate the employer failed to warn workers about cancer risks
• Expert evaluations from occupational medicine and toxicology professionals

This evidence is crucial for proving that the serious injury or illness you suffered was not random but the result of hazardous substances you encountered on the job.

Damages Recoverable Under a FELA Claim for Cancer Diagnosis

If your railroad cancer lawsuit is successful, you may be entitled to various forms of meaningful compensation under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

These damages are designed to account for the profound impact a serious illness like kidney cancer can have on your life.

Recoverable damages may include:

• Medical expenses, including surgery, chemotherapy, and follow-up care
• Lost wages due to time away from work or permanent disability
• Compensation for pain and suffering and emotional distress
• Reimbursement for hospital bills and related out-of-pocket costs
• Compensation to family members in the case of wrongful death

FELA claims are different from workers’ comp and require proof that the railroad company’s negligence played a role in your illness.

A skilled attorney will work to establish that connection and fight for fair compensation on your behalf.

At Gianaris Trial Lawyers, we represent railroad workers and families who’ve been affected by toxic exposure across decades of employment.

Our law firm investigates claims involving diesel exposure, asbestos, silica dust, and other hazardous substances that have caused or contributed to serious health problems—including kidney cancer, multiple myeloma, and esophageal cancer.

We understand the unique challenges of workplace injuries and occupational illnesses in the railroad industry.

Our team is actively reviewing lawsuits filed by former railroaders across the country, including those involving staff members required to perform oral sex, exposure to diesel exhaust fumes, and other abusive or negligent conditions that have led to cancer.

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.